In case you needed a reason to cry today, this is it:
Terri Irwin, the wife of the late Steve Irwin, just shared never-before-seen images for her son’s 16th birthday and dang, get ready to be gut-punched right in the feels.
The late Steve Irwin would be so proud of everything his wife and kids have accomplished today.
Since the “Crocodile Hunter” was tragically killed in 2006 by a wild stingray, both Bindi and Robert have done everything they can to carry on their father’s historic legacy.
One way is by running their family-operated zoo Australia Zoo in Buderim.
The Australian fam has even followed in Steve’s entertainment footsteps by having their own TV show called Crikey! It’s the Irwins .
It doesn’t get more Steve Irwin than that.
Additionally, you can often catch the fam making special appearances on TV shows — usually with a wild animal in hand or two.
Yep, this amazing family has truly accomplished so much.
Recently, Robert even just graduated from high school at 15!
Most people only accomplish that when they’re 18 (or Sheldon Cooper).
It was proud mom Terri who announced the exciting news.
“So proud of @RobertIrwin,” she wrote on Twitter.
“Today he graduated high school. Two years early. Well done! I feel incredibly blessed to have such wonderful kids!”
Robert also personally shared the news on Instagram:
“Well this is it. Over a decade of study – in planes, trains and thousands of hotel rooms in all corners of the world, and today I’ve graduated from high school. Grade 12 and 2 TAFE certificates done! Excited for what’s ahead…” he captioned the image of him holding Stella, the family dog.
Since then, there *has* been lots ahead for the young lad.
For one, the family has a wedding to plan since big sis Bindi got engaged!
It was even Robert who took a break from photographing animals to photograph the happy couple’s proposal photos.
Bindi even bestowed her younger brother with the honor of walking her down the aisle.
“I think that for me, it’ll be really important that Robert walks me down the aisle,” she said .
“I think that’s what Dad would have wanted as well.”
Another special occasion the family recently celebrated was Robert’s 16th birthday!
He celebrated in such a fitting way: by feeding crocodiles with visitors at Australia Zoo.
RELATED STORIES
During all this, so many heartfelt messages came in, wishing the young Irwin a happy birthday.
This included a super special birthday message from his mom.
Get ready for a tug on the heartstrings!
That’s because Terri shared a ton of unseen photos of Robert from when he was little.
Like these images that prove Robert has always been one with the animals:
Robert has known the snake, Jenni, for 16 years.
Meanwhile, we’ve only known a snake our ex-boyfriend for two years!
Robert was clearly touched by his mother’s message and the never-before-seen images:
We’re not crying, you’re crying!
wipes tear
Big sister Bindi also had some sweet birthday tributes for her baby brother.
On Instagram, Bindi captioned this pic with:
“One of the sweetest photos ever taken❤️ My whole world. It’s incredible that Robert is sixteen now, time sure does fly. Also, Mum is the most beautiful woman in the world.”
This fam-jam honestly just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter.
Terri is one proud mama for raising two amazing children and we know Steve is looking down at his family as such a proud dad and husband, too.
Happy belated birthday, Robert!
