Bindi Irwin hasn’t been able to celebrate some recent major life milestones with her father, the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, but he is never far from her thoughts.
On Aug. 2, she took to social media to share a touching note to him.
The wildlife conservationist gushed about her brother Robert Irwin, and revealed that he would be walking her down the aisle at her wedding.
“Dad, You’d be so proud of Robert. He’s been such an amazing support during this new life chapter,” she wrote. “I know you’d be beaming with pride when the time comes that he walks me down the aisle. I wish you could be here for these moments, but I know that your spirit lives on in us ❤”
Dad,
You’d be so proud of Robert. He’s been such an amazing support during this new life chapter.
I know you’d be beaming with pride when the time comes that he walks me down the aisle. I wish you could be here for these moments, but I know that your spirit lives on in us ❤ pic.twitter.com/6TGHUU9MxH— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) August 2, 2019
Irwin and her longtime boyfriend, Chandler Powell, got engaged last week after he proposed to her at the Australia Zoo on her 21st birthday on July 24.
“On my birthday I said ‘yes’ & ‘forever’ to the love of my life,” she wrote on Twitter, sharing a picture of her engagement ring.
“Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you & every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure & true happiness. Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose & unconditional love,” she wrote.
On my birthday I said ‘yes’ & ‘forever’ to the love of my life.
Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you & every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure & true happiness.
Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose & unconditional love❤️ pic.twitter.com/eaI57xwYWm— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) July 24, 2019
Irwin told People: “I am overjoyed to be sharing the news that Chandler and I are engaged! This has been the most special day celebrating my 21st birthday.”
She also told the outlet, “I’ve met my soulmate and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with Chandler. We’ve been together for nearly 6 years now and he’s my happily ever after.”
The posts rapidly had thousands of likes and people congratulated them en masse.
“Congrats to you… I have enjoyed/followed/cried/cheered along with your family for years. “????crikey” wrote one Twitter commentator.
Powell told People that it was “the most perfect and beautiful day of my life.”
“After Bindi’s birthday celebration at Australia Zoo, we had a photoshoot organized to celebrate her turning 21,” he said. “Just before we started the shoot, I took her to a special part of Australia Zoo to ask the girl of my dreams to become my wife. These past five years together have been the best of my life and we look forward to a lifetime of magical moments to come.”
Powell also expressed himself on Instagram:
“She said YES! Almost 6 years ago we met at Australia Zoo. I immediately fell head over heels for her kind and thoughtful heart that radiates so much light. Proposing in her very favorite place in the zoo, surrounded by animals, seemed like the perfect way to embark on this incredible new chapter in our lives. Bee, I love you more than anything in this world and I always will. Happy Birthday.”
According to People, Powell and Irwin first met in November 2013 during a wakeboarding competition Irwin was participating in Australia.
“It just so happened that Bindi was giving tours that day,” he told the medium in December. “I’m like, ‘Wow she is amazing.’” They “hit it off right away,” he said, adding, “We haven’t looked back since.”
Irwin said she couldn’t have been happier because Powell shares the same qualities as her famed father. “He loves wildlife and conservation and he has this strength. Which is necessary when you’re jumping on crocs,” she said.
Bindi Irwin’s younger brother Robert Irwin wanted to “kind of test him” during winter last year. “Just to see what would happen. So we had him feeding alligators and he did awesome. I’m very impressed. He’s great with wildlife so I approve,” said Robert Irwin.
Best day ever! Chandler asked and beautiful @BindiIrwin said yes. I am so very happy, and I know Steve would be too. Congratulations!! pic.twitter.com/sN5sFnxZhI
— Terri Irwin (@TerriIrwin) July 24, 2019
The Irwin family continues to honor Steve Irwin’s mission of bringing people closer to animals. They now star in the Animal Planet series “Crikey! It’s the Irwins.”
Bindi Irwin, for her part, won “Dancing With the Stars” in 2015.
The CNN Wire and NTD reporter Samuel Allegri contributed to this report.
