Mother’s Day with Australian Survivor’s El Rowland

“This Mother’s Day will be all about eating good food and relaxing with our little tribe,’’ says El Rowland. ‘’Two musts include: having a picnic with my little family, and looking at the stars with Lee.”

We’re not surprised relaxation is on the cards for this super mum. This time last year El was preparing to leave her son, Darcy, to become a castaway on a Samoan island with 24 other competitors in Australian Survivor. And it seems not much has changed! El and her partner Lee Carseldine have made it home just in time for Mother’s Day from a 10-day survival trek in Vanuatu.

The little family she’ll be celebrating with is her self-professed modern-day Brady Bunch, which includes her son, Darcy, and Lee’s two children.

“I always wanted four babies, and now I have an instant three, which fills me with so much joy. To me it doesn’t matter that two of them are not genetically mine, what matters is giving them the love their little souls deserve.”

Are you thinking what we’re thinking? When is Lee going to put a ring on it?! The couple met marooned on the Survivor island, and things have blossomed since: “This is a question you should be asking Lee,’’ says El. ‘’I will give Lee a year to ask before I start to google when the next leap year is, if you get my drift!’’

Bringing two families together does have its challenges she admits. “It’s learning, it’s jealousy, it’s fighting, it’s challenging, and it’s frustrating at times. It’s an equation Lee and I are constantly adjusting to; but it’s beautiful, and it’s worth it. To all the modern-day Brady Bunch families out there, I salute you!’’

The former Australian Army General is no stranger to tough situations. El recently opened up about suffering from postnatal depression, and is committed to helping mums see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“In my eyes, mums are absolute heroes and beautiful warriors. We go through a lot! Be proud, after 13 years of being in the military, numerous deployments, hardships, relationship breakups and playing the toughest game in the world, Survivor – nothing comes close to being as hard as motherhood!’’

In this beautiful video we can see El’s son Darcy feels the same way about his very own mum, too! A talented team of creatives captured their beautiful relationship with a refreshing palette of blue, white, green and silver. It creates an elegant yet relaxed and casual vibe suited to the pair’s relationship.