When Heather Rae El Moussa married Tarek El Moussa on October 23, 2021, her entire life was changing – albeit for the better. Not only was she gaining a new husband, but she was becoming a stepmother to Tarek’s two children – Taylor, 12, and Brayden, 7 – who he shares with Christina Hall.
And while being a stepmother means the world to her, she admits that co-parenting hasn’t been easy and her relationship with Tarek’s ex-wife ‘wasn’t always perfect.’ She explained as much on a recent episode of The New Rules with Jill Martin on TODAY. It’s one of the few times she opened up about her new life.
“I’m a very happy, positive person, but I felt like I was always second. No one ever made me feel that way, but I think when your significant other has such a long relationship with the previous spouse … You fall in love with each other, but you always kind of think of the ex. For me, I did,” she explained to Jill Martin.
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Heather Rae El Moussa went on to elucidate her relationship with Christina Hall, adding they’ve certainly had their “ups and downs” – not just between her and Christina, but between Tarek and Christina, as well. Things started to change once Christina saw how much Heather Rae loved and cared for the children.
“I think she realized how much I love the kids and they are number one to me over anything. So any drama aside, the kids are the most important thing to all of us,” she said. Those are words any parent or step-parent would relate to – and it’s ultimately what brought this family together when needed most.
Tarek El Moussa met Christina Haack while working at a real estate office together. They eventually started dating, started a business together, got married in 2009, and rose to prominence with the 2013 flipping show Flip or Flop on HGTV. They had a daughter, Taylor, in 2010 and a son, Brayden, in 2015.
El Moussa and Haack got divorced in 2018. Tarek started dating Heather Rae in 2019 and was the subject of a Discovery+ special that aired their wedding for all to see – it was titled Tarek and Heather: The Big I Do. They wed on October 23, 2021, and have been living happily ever after since then.
Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa Will Welcome a Baby Boy in 2023
What’s even more exciting is that it will be a blended family very soon. In July, Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa announced they were pregnant for the first time. They’ll be welcoming a baby boy in early 2023 and they expressed their gratitude for their growing family in recent Thanksgiving posts on Instagram.
Feeling so grateful for our health, our growing family, our close friends, and our future. Words don’t do it justice and thankful is genuinely an understatement. This year is the best year yet and I’m thankful for YOU for being a part of it,” said Heather Rae on Instagram, adding she’ll be holding her baby very soon.
Just a few weeks ago, the 35-year-old celebrated her baby shower with her closest friends at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California. Her stepdaughter, Taylor, was by her side the entire way. The shower had a bit of a ‘winter wonderland’ theme, featuring a lot of blue, silver, and white decorations.
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“We’re all just getting really excited. The nursery is coming together and it’s so sweet because we’re all calling it “the baby’s room” now, even the kids. It’s just really cute,” said Heather Rae to PEOPLE. On the other hand, Tarek El Moussa is preparing to do whatever he’s told once the baby comes along in 2023.