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.
WATCH: Bachelor winners Locky and Irena celebrate anniversary. Story continues below.
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."
Up next for this delightful couple, Locky is appearing on SAS: Australia. With Locky preparing to take on the intense challenges, Irena is by his side as 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.
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