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From The Bachelor to babies: Matty J and Laura Byrne’s love story is anything but ordinary

We take a look back at their road to romance.
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Ever since Georgia Love broke his heart in that brutal 2016 Bachelorette finale, the nation has been desperate for Matty “J” Johnson to find his one true love. And just a year later, he did!

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When jewellery designer Laura Byrne walked into the Bachelor mansion, she said that if the experience ended up as her love story it would be a “fun and hilariously beautiful way to meet someone,” and who would’ve thought they would find that love story.

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Speaking to NW when he’d narrowed his choices to six girls, Matty said, “The chemistry Laura and I have, it hits me every time we’re together. When I’m with her it feels so natural and I never want our dates to end. I knew she could be right for me the day after our first date – I simply couldn’t fault it.”

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The gorgeous Sydney couple are not only engaged, but they’re now parents to beautiful daughters Marlie-Mae and Lola.

Next on the agenda? Finally tying the knot.

As we impatiently wait for their nuptials, keep scrolling to see their love story in pictures!

(Image: Network Ten)

First meeting

From the moment they locked eyes, it was clear there was something special there.

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Matty J meets Laura Byrne for the first time

(Image: Network Ten)

First date

Their first date sketching each other was full of laughs.

(Image: Network Ten)

First kiss

And their first kiss was nothing short of magical.

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Matty J and Laura kiss on The Bachelor Australia

(Image: Network Ten)

Matty and Laura Bachelor mansion

“In case you were wondering, it takes this much leg to get a rose,” Laura joked on Instagram.

(Images: Network Ten)

Star date

On one Bachelor date, they even named a star Mataura- a hybrid of their names.

(Image: Network Ten)

Matty J and Laura with Buster

When Laura introduced Matty to her three-legged rescue dog Buster, it was an instant success.

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(Image: Network Ten)

Bachelor final two

When it came to the final two, we had a pretty good feeling about who would win.

(Image: Network Ten)

Matty J and Laura finale

We dare you not to tear up listening to Matty’s profession of love in the next slide.

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Laura Byrne wins The Bachelor

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

First official Instagram

“Cats out of the bag kids, and utterly smitten with this one ❤️ ” Laura shared an adorable pair of photos following the show’s finale.

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(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Yes vote

When the marriage equality vote was underway, the lovebirds made it clear that love is love and voted in support of same-sex marriage.

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Kiss

These two aren’t afraid of a little PDA!

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Towel

And they aren’t afraid of getting a little bit silly either!

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Wedding

So loved up! Matty and Laura are a sight for sore eyes at every wedding they attend.

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(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Christmas 2017

Say cheese! Matty and Laura’s first Christmas together looked like a blast.

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Sydney

The Sydney skyline never looked so good…oh hey you two!

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

South Africa

Love was most definitely in the air when the couple visited South Africa.

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Flowers

“Without getting too mushy.. you’re easily the best thing that’s ever happened to me and the thought of life without you breaks my heart into a million pieces. 😘” We’re not crying, you’re crying.

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(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Selfie stick

How do these guys make a selfie stick look so good??

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Laura jewellery store launch

At the launch of her jewellery store, Matty was there to support her…quite literally as well.

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Bali

“Not a bad view,” Matty captioned this snap of his leading lady in Bali.

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Logies 2018

Name a dreamier couple, we’ll wait. Matty and Laura brought the glamour to the 2018 TV WEEK Logie Awards and Matty was even nominated!

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(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Logies 2018

What a gentleman!

(Image: Getty)

Matty J and Laura

The photo that sparked pregnancy rumours: Laura’s tummy caught the eyes of many fans and the Daily Mail reported that she was not drinking alcohol and “avoided questions on the red carpet” at the event.

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Matty J and Laura pregnancy announcement

Confirmed! Matty and Laura shared their sweet baby news with a series of photographs posted to their respective Instagram accounts.

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Matty J shares touching video from first ultrasound

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(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Laura Byrne baby bump

Father to-be Matty J shared the first pic of Laura’s growing bump on his Instagram stories.

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Matty J and Laura Byrne go for their 20-week pregnancy scan

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Matty J and Laura Byrne beach

“Three cheeky rock lobsters.” Laura and Matty’s little one was destined to be a beach baby for sure.

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Matty J and Laura Byrne bump

Whose bump is better?

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(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Matty J Valentine’s Day

“This guy right here is the human equivalent to winning the lottery, and makes all 365 days feel like Valentines. #coupleofgoodboys #valentinesday.” Laura’s Valentine’s Day post to Matty made our hearts melt.

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Engaged

He put a ring on it! On a romantic babymoon in Fiji, Matt popped the question to Laura. Spoiler alert – she said yes.

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The Bachelor’s Matty J proposes to Laura Byrne

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Baby bump

Their last photo as a family of two.

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(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

And then there were three! On the 19th of June 2019, Matty and Laura welcomed their first child, a baby girl! “Welcome to the world you divine little slice of human pudding,” Laura wrote in her big Instagram announcement.

She then revealed the utterly perfect name: “Marlie-Mae Rose Johnson (named after our Nana’s) you’re more than we could have ever hoped for” – too perfect!

(Instagram / @matthewdavidjohnson)

Matty also shared a sweet pic of his fiancee and new baby girl, writing: “Still letting the last 24hrs sink in.. they’ve been the most rewarding, loving and emotional I’ve ever experienced.”

The proud new dad continued: “@ladyandacat you did the most incredible job bringing our little girl Marlie-Mae Rose Johnson into the world. Becoming a Dad was better than I ever could have imagined. ❤️” This is too much, be still our beating hearts!

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Christmas 2019

First Christmas as a family of three. Well, technically four with Buster.

(Image: Instagram @matthewdavidjohnson)

Matty and Laura

Even amidst a worldwide pandemic with a baby to care for, Matty and Laura are still devoted to each other.

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(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Family

“All three of us looking at the camera, what are the chances”.

(Image: Instagram @ladyandacat)

Marlie 1st birthday

In June 2020, Marlie-Mae rung in her first birthday with loved ones – a year flies by!

(Image: Instagram)

Second pregnancy

In September 2020, Laura and Matty gave fans another reason to celebrate by announcing they were expecting a second child together! The pair shared the news with a gorgeous series of pics from the beach. “Marlie-Mae learning shocked face couldn’t have been timed any better.. WE’RE HAVING A BABY! Please brace yourself for twice the amount of dad jokes,” Matty J warned.

(Image: Instagram)

Laura Matty

As Laura’s due date approached, the family found plenty of ways to keep fans entertained.

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Matty J cradles his newborn daughter Lola

(Image: Instagram)

The happy couple welcomed their second daughter, Lola Ellis Johnson, at the start of February 2021.

(Image: Instagram)

Mum and dad still as loved up as ever!

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Matty J and Laura learn TikTok dances in lockdown

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(Image: Instagram)

Podcast

“They say you should never work with babies, family or animals… and to be honest @matthewdavidjohnson often ticks all three boxes.”

(Image: Instagram)

Couple pose

Matt’s always happy to show off his leading lady.

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Laura Byrne and Matty J pull off ‘the routine’

(Images: Instagram)

Kiss screen

“It’s always exciting when @ladyandacat is on the tv,” the former Bachelor captioned this post.

Under his post, a proud Laura commented, “😂😂😂 this is the hype girl I’ve come to expect.”

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(Image: Instagram)

Mother’s Day 2022

On Mother’s Day 2022, Matt captioned this photo: “Parenting is a wild ride – you love those little munchkins with all your heart but at the same time, there are moments (tonight) where they suck every last bit of energy out of you. Luckily I get to do it with this incredible mum – thank you for everything you do for this family. You’re one in a million @ladyandacat ❤️”

(Image: Instagram)

Family

“@matthewdavidjohnson you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love doing life with you, I love our little family and I can’t wait to marry the pants off you… ‘you’re a sexy boi.'”

(Image: Instagram)

Family

Stay adorable!

(Image: Instagram)

”Ugh Muuuuuum Daaaaad you’re embarrassing!” Laura shared to her Instagram.

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(Image: Instagram)

Halloween 2022

A mum, a pumpkin and a Thor all out trick or treating for Halloween. How spooky!

(Image: Instagram)

Just two ‘kids’ in love.

(Image: Instagram)

The new Mr and Mrs Johnson! The lovebirds married in November 2022.

(Image: Instagram)

Celebrating Christmas 2022.

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(Image: Instagram)

Could this happy family be any cuter? Just look at those smiles!

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