So sweet! Heather Rae Young bonded with Tarek El Moussa’s two kids long before their July 2020 engagement.
The Flipping 101 With Tarek El Moussa star first told his daughter, Taylor, and his son, Brayden, about his relationship with the Selling Sunset star after they went out “a few times.”
The California native explained to Today in December 2019: “After getting the initial conversation started, I would also show the kids photos and videos of me and Heather Rae laughing, being silly and hanging out, and that made them laugh and be able to put a face to her name.”
While his eldest was “comfortable” with the real estate agent “right away,” Brayden eventually warmed up to Young. They have a “nice bond,” El Moussa gushed at the time. (He shares the kids with his ex-wife, Christina Anstead.)
In August 2020, the former model wrote via Instagram that she loves being a “bonus mom” to the little ones. “Watching them grow up in front of my eyes so loving and so curious about life,” she added, signing the caption “Future Mrs. El Moussa.”
The touching tribute came one week after Young said that Taylor and Brayden have her “whole heart.” She shared Instagram footage from Brayden’s 5th birthday party, writing, “I can’t wait to be their ‘official’ stepmom. I never knew love like this until these two entered my life. It was completely unexpected, but when I met @therealtarekelmoussa I didn’t even question the fact that he had kids. We fell in love very quick and loving him meant loving everything. I love my little family.”
El Moussa welcomed Taylor and Brayden in 2010 and 2015, respectively, with Anstead. He was married to the Christina on the Coast star from 2009 to 2018, and she wed Ant Antstead the same year they finalized their divorce. In September 2020, Christina and the Wheeler Dealers host revealed that they were calling it quits, one year after their son Hudson’s birth.
Keep scrolling to see Young spending time with El Moussa’s brood over the years, from Halloween costumes to sweet selfies.
August 2021
“Happy birthday to our Bray!!” Young captioned an Instagram slideshow. “Life is so much better with you in it. I love watching you turn into the sweetest man, just like your daddy. Being your bonus mom has filled my heart in a way I never could’ve imagined. I love you, I love our bond and I couldn’t be happier to share a part of life with you.”
August 2021
Young and Taylor snapped an Instagram selfie from the backseat.
August 2021
El Moussa posted a sweet outdoor shot to his Instagram Story with Young, Taylor and Brayden.
July 2021
“Never knew what it was like to feel this much love and joy before these babies came into my life,” Young wrote via Instagram in July 2021. “Being a bonus mom has been the biggest blessing.”
July 2021
The couple documented their trip to Knott’s Berry Farm with Taylor and Brayden via Instagram. “Had the best family day today, can’t get over how cute it was to see Tay and Bray smile all day long,” Young captioned a video. “The kids have been at camp most of the summer so far and we’ve been busy too, so Tarek and I planned a whole surprise day for them. It was sooo much fun and much needed.”
July 2021
Young gave Taylor and Brayden “morning cuddles” before they headed to summer camp.
June 2021
Young penned a touching tribute to El Moussa for Father’s Day, writing via Instagram: “I fell in love with you from the beginning, but one of the main reasons you got my heart so quickly was because I saw the way you treated your babies. I fell in love with the caring, loving and kind Father that you are to them, and little did I know I was going to be blessed with the most amazing family I could’ve ever imagined. You are the best daddy to Tay and Bray and seeing how you are with them melts my heart and never gets old.”
