Many supporters never believed Anthony Albanese's victory would come so easily.
But as the prime minister toured his home turf in the afterglow of the landslide win on Sunday morning, inner-west Sydney locals were keen to share in his joy.
Joshua Gibbs, who owns music store Crosstalk Records in Mr Albanese's electorate, gifted him a vinyl of Easy by Australian rock band The Easybeats as he made the morning rounds.
"Nobody thought it was going to be easy, but looks like it was Alban-easy," he said.
He told AAP the prime minister has visited his store before and often receives a rockstar reception in the area, with Mr Gibbs feeling somewhat giddy himself after Mr Albanese thanked him.
After Labor's emphatic election victory, the prime minister's first stop on Sunday was for coffee at a local institution in his seat of Grayndler.
Mr Albanese soaked in the rays at Bar Italia's leafy courtyard with his fiancee Jodie Haydon, cabinet minister Katy Gallagher, Bennelong MP Jerome Laxale and a few members of the party faithful.
"I used to visit this coffee shop with my mum," he told reporters.
"I grew up just down the road here, and I did certainly think of her last night as well - she would be very proud."
He offered a "grazie mille" to wait staff and thanked supporters before giving back by scooping gelato for locals and members of his media pack.
Diners were generous with their congratulations as Mr Albanese walked by, with some chanting his name on his exit.
One woman with a cavoodle hoped to get a photo with him noting it was her pet's dream to be on national TV.
Though he appreciated the positivity, Mr Albanese took a moment to offer his sympathies to Peter Dutton, who lost both his seat and the election in a brutal double whammy for the coalition.
"I feel for Peter Dutton," Mr Albanese said.
"It's a tough business politics, there's no doubt about that, and it would have been a tough night for Peter."
Now the federal election has run its course, the prime minister can finally pick up his diary and begin wedding planning.
Mr Albanese got engaged on Valentine's Day 2024 but a celebration has been put on hold until after the election.
A resolute campaign win has allowed the prime minister to turn to his personal life, prompting him to dedicate part of his victory speech to his sweetheart.
"You have my heart, I love you and I look forward to living our lives together," he said.
"I'm am so grateful for your support, your friendship and your love - you make me so happy."
During the gruelling five-week campaign, Mr Albanese held more than 90 public engagements in 52 seats across every state and territory.
Though he said he enjoyed campaigning, by the end, he admitted the schedule was tiresome.
But it may have been worth the effort as Labor has avoided a minority government and will return to parliament with an even greater majority.