Trigger warning: This article discusses pregnancy loss.
When Locky Gilbert met Irena Srbinovska on the red carpet during The Bachelor Australia premiere, the chemistry was clear. They were simply meant to be.
The gorgeous nurse made an impression on the the Bachelor from the moment they met, checking his heartbeat on the red carpet.
“I think I heard your heart skip a beat,” Irena told Locky, while we all collectively went “awwww.”
They went on to share a pretty standard falling-in-love journey on the show, from romantic dates to tearful confessions. Even with COVID disrupting the show during filming (and causing chaos between Irena and runner-up Bella Varelis) it was clear these two were meant to be.
And they’ve only gone from strength to strength as a couple since.
Since filming wrapped, the couple have been very candid with fans about everything from their future wedding plans to their struggles with miscarriage. Keeping us in the loop along the journey, we take a look back at some of their sweetest moments since leaving the Bachie Mansion.
In retrospect, Irena has opened up about how she was feeling the night before the nail-biting finale.
“The night before the finale I was in a hotel room in the Hunter Valley doing a ridiculously hard puzzle trying to distract myself… I was freaking out,” she revealed on Instagram on their one year anniversary.
“On this day a year ago, we were in a hotel room waiting for our love story to be finally revealed. A year on, our life is far greater than I could have ever imagined it to be.
“You have made me the happiest that I have ever been and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. I love life with you.”
Locky also revealed Irena had written himself and Bella a letter in case things didn’t go her way, with the Bachelor saying her thoughtfulness endeared her to him even more.
After the finale, Locky posted a picture of himself with Irena and shared a tribute to his partner.
“I have always listened to my heart and it has led me to this point. As hard as it was to say goodbye [to Bella] I was also saying hello to my future wife, baby mumma and best friend,” he said. “I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Here is to one crazy adventure and so, so many more with you babe.”
As their relationship was kicking off in the real world, Irena came to Perth to be with Locky – but the move coincided with a really tough time in her life.
Her father Vasco suffered a medical emergency, but border uncertainty due to COVID-19 meant Irena couldn’t travel to be with him. Simultaneously, she was also navigating a world of online hate and trolling. She also suffered a miscarriage.
“During our first few months together I, unfortunately, suffered a miscarriage,” Irena revealed to WHO, a devastating blow for the couple.
“But Locky was my absolute rock and having his support made me love him even more.”
“We are just normal people and while we put ourselves in the spotlight, you never know what is going on in our lives that day,” Locky added. “If you have to say something, then direct it at me, not my girl.”
The pair still set off on a six-month trip they had planned, sharing each stop with their Instagram followers, marking each one with loved-up photos.
“Our trip has definitely been a crash course in getting to know each other,” Irena said of their time away.
“When you’re on the road with someone like this for so long, you really see the good, the bad, and the ugly. But we’ve had an amazing time and know we’ll be together forever,” Locky confirmed.
They ended their trip by celebrating their one-year anniversary in Exmouth, in West Australia.
The pair have since settled in Perth, where Locky and his family are based. Despite the miscarriage, Irena has remained open about how much she wants to begin a family with her partner.
When asked about marriage and beginning a family, they both responded enthusiastically.
“We talk about it all the time! We’ve even named our two future kids. We are on the same page there,” Irena told WHO.
“We talk about what kind of wedding we want all the time and are both keen to start a family. We aren’t spring chickens, so it’ll happen sooner rather than later,” Locky admitted.
The sentiment was later echoed by Irena on Instagram.
“I can’t wait to be a mum. It’s something I’ve always looked forward to. And I can’t wait to see Locky as a dad, he’s a little clucky too,” Irena responded to a fan on Instagram who asked her about having a baby in late 2021.
“Having the miscarriage last year was upsetting. Since then I’ve seen a specialist and got all the tests done so hopefully we won’t have any issues,” she admitted.
“I know I have the biological clock ticking (it’s something that I am very aware of), but I am hopeful that a baby or two is in the near future.
“But not too near,” she clarified. “I just got back to work and can’t go straight to maternity leave.”
In early 2022, Locky appeared on SAS: Australia, Irena was his number one supporter.
But, they had one quick rumour to clear up when the show’s first trailer dropped. In the clip, Locky spoke about being a “good husband” – prompting fans to ask if they’d become engaged.
“And to answer everyone’s question… we are not secretly engaged nor are we secretly married,” Irena told fans. “Believe me when this guy gets down on one knew you will know about it.”
And know about it we did, as in June 2022 Locky popped the question to Irena during a hike at Mackenzie Falls in the Grampians.
“When we reached the base of the waterfall I set up the camera to capture some photos of us but instead I hit the record button,” he told WHO exclusively.
“Irena was standing in front of the waterfall for what she thought was a photo when I got down on my knee and asked her to marry me. It was absolutely perfect.”
In March 2023 the pair officially said “I do” in a romantic – and secret – wedding ceremony.
“Our guests thought they were attending our engagement party,” bride Irena told WHO. “It was an incredibly special moment when they realised that, in fact, they were about to witness our wedding!”
“I always knew that one day Irena would be my wife and now I’m pinching myself that it’s actually happened. I’m a very lucky guy,” added Locky.
During their interview with us post-wedding they also let slip what was next for the pair. “We’re renovating our house in Perth entirely by ourselves, so we want to get that finished,” shared Irena. “Then hopefully we’ll have a baby!”
“I’m super excited to become a dad, but also scared,” explained Locky. “I can’t wait for us to do all the family stuff and from day one, our child will be strapped to a baby carrier and we’ll be out hiking and camping. That’s the plan, anyway!”
The following July, the couple shared in an interview with 7Life that they had experienced a second miscarriage.
“We’ve been trying to get pregnant and try to start our family and we were absolutely over the moon when we found out we were pregnant last month,” Irena told the outlet.
“Unfortunately, a week later we suffered a miscarriage, and… it was emotional, hard and obviously heartbreaking.”
“It all happened so quickly, which at the time was terrible, but I’m kind of glad it happened quickly,” she continued, before admitting that the hardest part was that the couple had shared the exciting news with their parents and close friends.
“And then we had to tell them obviously the bad news, so they were elated and then also devastated.”
Taking to Instagram, Irena shared the sad news whilst announcing she had become an ambassador for the upcoming Red Nose Day.
“Locky and I suffered another miscarriage, which has only made me more eager to join and raise awareness for the cause,” she captioned her post.
“Like most Australians, I have grown up with Red Nose Day, but what many of you may not know is that they offer support to people that have been impacted by miscarriage. One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, which is estimated to be about 100,000 annually in Australia. And after talking to my friends and family about my experience, I have realised just how many families are impacted by miscarriages.”
“As a nurse and as a woman who hopes to be a mother someday, I hope that my story helps someone out there.”
Locky commented on the post, writing, “My wonder woman, 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 your self [sic] out there and talking about this. Can’t wait for our little family together.”
Irena is encouraging people to help Red Nose help save little lives and support grieving families by registering or donating at rednoseday.org.au.
If you or someone you know is affected by the topics in this article, you can call the SANDS 24/7 bereavement support line on 1300 308 307 or visit the website.
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