It seems like only yesterday that Michael Brunelli and Martha Kalifatidis fell in love on Married At First Sight Australia.
The couple quickly became one of the strongest success stories of the series, joining the likes of Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson as proof that relationships could thrive after filming.
The couple regularly kept their fans up to date with their love story, sharing intimate behind-the-scenes looks at their adorable relationship.
After meeting on Season Six of MAFS, the couple became engaged in December 2021, before announcing Martha’s pregnancy in 2022.
Never ones to shy away from the truth, the pair documented the difficult pregnancy, detailing Martha’s diagnosis with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) – a rare pregnancy condition that affects about two per cent of pregnant women and causes extreme morning sickness.
”At five weeks I was diagnosed with HG, which is basically severe chronic nausea and vomiting with no relief. It is like 24/7,” Martha said when she returned to social media in September.
”I literally did not get out of bed for two months; I was so sick. I could not eat or drink anything. There were days that I did not even get up to pee.”
Fortunately, at the four-month mark of her pregnancy, Martha’s symptoms improved, revealing she was lucky enough to find a doctor who was able to make her ”feel human again.”
Martha and Michael kept fans up to date throughout the nine months, sharing their experience of putting together a nursery, their surprise baby shower and their gender reveal.
The first-time parents announced the safe arrival of their little one via Instagram, on the 28th of February 2023. “He’s here, he’s perfect,” they wrote alongside a picture of the cute bub.
They also announced their son’s name, following months of fans theorising about what the couple had chosen. Despite some strong contenders from fans, they didn’t guess correctly after it was revealed they had named their son Lucius.
A day after he was born, the couple shared another picture of Lucius with a message to those who had supported the couple throughout their journey.
“We just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has messaged and commented kind words about Lucius! We’re just chilling and enjoying our lil bubble, but we will be back with the baby spam soon.”
Over the following year, Martha and Michael have shared countless adorable snaps of their growing son ahead of his first birthday on February 23, 2024.
Speaking to WHO shortly before the big day, Michael shared that, unlike many celebrity families, the couple plan to have a low-key celebration for their son’s milestone birthday.
“I don’t like those parties like the Kardashians do that are extravagant because, at the end of the day, he’s not going to remember it, and it’s way too expensive. We’re going to go to a park, get some pizza, get some party hats, and just relax,” Michael shared.
As we count down the months until Lucius’ second birthday, scroll down to see more sweet snaps of the adorable family of three.
