Bindi Irwin's boyfriend pays tribute to star on 19th birthday

July 24 (UPI) -- Bindi Irwin's boyfriend Chandler Powell shared a touching tribute to the star on Instagram for her 19th birthday.

"Happy Birthday for tomorrow to the kindest, strongest, most beautiful soul I have ever met," Powell wrote Saturday alongside a photo of the couple sharing a beachside hug.

"We have been together for years now and loving you will always be the greatest blessing. Every day I aspire to be more like you in the way you work tirelessly for what you believe in and the people you love most, all while carrying the most gorgeous smile," he continued.

"After all the adventures we have experienced together, I can only imagine what the years to come will hold. You make me smile bigger than I ever knew was possible and give me the most amazing memories that I will carry with me forever. I love you. Happy birthday sweetheart."

Irwin also shared a photo on Saturday of the couple holding hands and quoted poet Sanober Khan for the caption. "When it comes to love, do not ever settle for anything less than magical," she wrote.

Irwin, who hails from Australia, and Powell, 20, who lives outside Tampa, Fla., first met in 2013. The conservationist last made headlines in April when she referred to Powell as "living sunshine."