Content Warning: This article discusses pregnancy loss.
From the moment they met on The Bachelor Australia in 2020, it was clear that Locklan Gilbert and Irena Srbinovska were meant to be.
Their instant chemistry translated through the screens and, evidently, into their hearts as the love birds’ relationship continues to progress as the years go on.
WATCH NOW: The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert and Irena Srbinovska get married.
Following their declarations of love in the famously suspenseful season eight finale, the couple has continued to share considerable relationship milestones; from numerous adventures together, to settling down in Perth, to getting married.
Most recently the lovebirds welcomed their first child together, a baby girl they named Ava Aleksandra Gilbert who was welcomed into the world on February 23rd, 2024.
While the duo remain happily in love, as with any relationship, not everything has been smooth sailing.
With plans to grow their budding family, Irena and Locky have also remained candid about their pregnancy journey. Speaking with our sister publication WHO, Irena previously shared the heartbreaking news that in the first few months of their relationship, the couple had suffered a miscarriage.
“But Locky was my absolute rock and having his support made me love him even more.”
In early 2023, Irena took to her social media to share further news of this ongoing journey. While announcing her placement as an official ambassador for Red Nose Day, the then 32-year-old wrote: “Unfortunately the timing of this announcement has come only weeks after Locky and I suffered another miscarriage which has only made me more eager to join and raise awareness for the cause.”
“As a nurse and as a woman who hopes to be a mother someday I hope that my story helps someone out there,” she continued.
Locky shared a public message of support for his wife, writing: “My wonder women, so so so lucky to have you in my life babe. Can’t explain how strong and supportive you are. So proud of you for putting yourself out there and taking about this. Can’t wait for our little family together.”
A few days later, she went on to thank her followers for their messages of support.
“Thank you to everyone who has messaged me with their story, advice and messages of hope. Reading them made me feel less alone as I hope my story may make someone out there also feel less alone,” she wrote.
“I am hoping that we can start to make the conversations more about inclusion, support, and understanding.”
She also went on to thank her husband for his support.“I also wanted to take this time to thank my rock, my amazing husband. I am very fortunate to have such a caring and loving partner that was there for me in every sense of the word. I love you and I know that you will be a truly remarkable dad one day.”
It’s clear their enduring love acts as an aid even on the darkest of days.
The pair made their connection uber-official in March 2023.
The secret ceremony came as a surprise even to the guests.
“Our guests thought they were attending our engagement party,” bride Irena told WHO.
News of their engagement was first shared in June 2022.
“Mrs Gilbert has a nice ring to it 💍,” Locky wrote.
Their engagement announcement was soon followed by an introduction to the new Gilbert, Odin! Their gorgeous pup has been a welcome addition to the family.
It didn’t take long for Irena to relocate from Melbourne to Perth, where Locky and his family are based. After seven months of travelling Australia together, the pair moved into a hotel together while hunting for their dream home.
After a considered period of house hunting, the pair finally bought their forever home in May 2022.
“It’s taken us a while to find our perfect (renovators dream) home in our favourite location but we got there and we are so excited to make this our home,” Irena wrote on Instagram.
“We are super eager to see what the future has in store for us and it’s good to finally set some roots after all our travels.”
A year into their relationship, Irena shared a truthful dedication to her partner: “You have been my absolute rock over the last year, you’ve held my hand and supported me, you have carried me when I couldn’t walk, you make me laugh when all I want to do is cry and most of all you have loved me unconditionally 🥰”
Locky hasn’t held back from sharing praises of his own: “I am so happy to have this amazing woman in my life, not only has she moved to Perth, she has started a new nursing job here as well and I am so proud of you as I know how crazy and daunting that must be,” he wrote on Instagram.
“She is the hardest working and most caring person I have ever met. Even though we have had some hard times I know we will always come though it together. It feels like we have squeezed 10 years of dating into a year and a half. I can’t wait for what is coming up next.”
Shortly after the finale of The Bachelor aired, Irena and Locky set off on a seven-month holiday in a van across Australia. throughout the journey, the couple shared pictures of their adventures and, suffice it to say, it looked like they enjoyed themselves.
Locky marked the end of his Bachelor journey by choosing Irena as his, in his own words, “future wife, baby mumma and best friend”.
If you would like to access the free 24/7 National support line, call 1300 308 307 or visit www.rednosegriefandloss.org.au
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