Heather Rae El Moussa’s Journey to Motherhood: How Being a Stepmom Ignited a Desire for Her Own Children with Tarek
Reality television star Heather Rae Young, now Heather Rae El Moussa, from Netflix’s hit show Selling Sunset, has openly shared a deeply personal and transformative chapter of her life: her evolving desire to have children with her husband, Tarek El Moussa. What makes her journey particularly poignant is that this profound shift wasn’t always part of her plan. Heather, 34, reveals that her “love” for being a stepmother to Tarek’s two children, Taylor, 11, and Brayden, 6, has played an instrumental role in shaping her aspiration for biological children. This heartwarming revelation underscores the powerful and often unexpected ways that family bonds can redefine our life goals and dreams. Her experience offers a beautiful perspective on the complexities of modern family dynamics and the incredible capacity of the human heart to expand.
When Heather Rae Young and Tarek El Moussa, the 40-year-old host of HGTV’s Flip or Flop, first embarked on their relationship, both were resolute in their decision against having more children. Tarek already had two wonderful kids from his previous marriage, and Heather, a successful career woman and former Playboy Playmate of the Month, was content with her life as it was. However, as their love deepened, and Heather seamlessly stepped into the role of a stepmother, something remarkable began to unfold. She quickly discovered an immense joy and fulfillment in nurturing Taylor and Brayden, embracing the daily rhythms of school pickups, homework help, and creating lasting family memories.
Her bond with Taylor and Brayden wasn’t just a casual connection; it was a profound, unconditional love that reshaped her entire outlook on life and family. She described it as falling into “this amazing position as a stepmom,” a role she cherishes deeply. “I just I love being a stepmom, I love being a mom, I love raising children,” she confessed in an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife. This newfound passion for motherhood, experienced through the lens of step-parenthood, subtly began to plant a seed of desire for a child of her own. It was a beautiful, organic evolution, a testament to the powerful influence of love and the unexpected paths life can lead us down. The laughter, the challenges, the triumphs shared with Taylor and Brayden ignited a maternal instinct she hadn’t anticipated, transforming her initial “no” into a thoughtful “maybe,” and eventually, a hopeful “yes.”
This emotional realization eventually led to open and honest conversations with Tarek. “More recently I have started thinking about having one of my own,” Heather shared. Bringing this delicate topic up to Tarek, she found him to be incredibly supportive and receptive. While they had both initially dismissed the idea of expanding their family with more children, Tarek, witnessing Heather’s incredible dedication and love for his kids, was also open to the possibility. “At first we talked about it and so we’re on the same page,” she confirmed, highlighting the strength of their partnership and shared vision for the future. This mutual understanding and excitement propelled them forward, leading them to actively plan for the possibility of a new addition to their already beautiful blended family.
Their journey towards potentially welcoming a new baby involves a thoughtful and proactive approach. Heather is currently undergoing her second round of egg freezing, a significant step in their fertility journey. This process involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and cryopreserved for future use. “We are planning on possibly having a baby in the future but right now I am going through egg freezing. I’m doing the second round of egg freezing,” Heather detailed, offering a glimpse into the practical steps they are taking to realize their dream. Freezing eggs provides them with options and flexibility, allowing them to pursue parenthood when the time is right, without the immediate pressure of age-related fertility declines.
Beyond egg freezing, the couple has also discussed the possibility of freezing embryos. This process involves fertilizing the eggs with Tarek’s sperm to create embryos, which are then frozen. Embryo freezing often offers a higher success rate for future pregnancies compared to egg freezing, providing another layer of security for their family planning. “We have talked about freezing embryos, putting embryos aside and then we would like to try natural this year,” Heather explained. While acknowledging that she might be “pushing it a little bit more than Tarek,” she emphasizes their shared desire. Their plan encompasses both assisted reproductive technologies and the hope of natural conception, demonstrating a comprehensive and optimistic approach to building their family. “We don’t know what the future is going to hold but yes, sometime in the future we would like our own,” she concluded, her voice filled with anticipation and hope for the new chapter ahead.
Their personal journey to expand their family is unfolding amidst the backdrop of their recent marital bliss. Tarek and Heather officially tied the knot in a stunning ceremony on October 23, 2021, at a luxurious Santa Barbara hotel, culminating two years of dating and a whirlwind romance. The wedding itself was a fairytale event, meticulously planned and filled with emotional moments that truly celebrated their love story and the blending of their families. Following their vows, the newlyweds embarked on an idyllic three-week honeymoon, beginning with three days exploring the vibrant city of Dubai before indulging in the breathtaking paradise of the Maldives.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Tarek El Moussa (@therealtarekelmoussa)
Upon their return home, the El Moussa family found themselves in a period of adjustment after the joyous chaos of the wedding and the serene escape of their honeymoon. When asked about settling into married life, Heather reflected on the whirlwind nature of the past few months. “We were actually looking back the other night because time flies by so we actually went back in our phones and looked at all the photos from the wedding,” she recounted. “Up until the New Year, we did have such a whirlwind life after the wedding. I finally feel like we are settling back in. Like, this is our first week.” This insight beautifully captures the transition from celebratory events to the comfortable rhythm of everyday married life, a period of anchoring themselves in their new reality as husband and wife.
Tarek echoed Heather’s sentiments, expressing immense joy and contentment with their new life together. Since saying their “I dos,” Tarek described being married to Heather as “absolutely incredible.” His words painted a vivid picture of their recent experiences, emphasizing the magical quality of their wedding day and the romantic allure of their honeymoon. “The wedding was just magical. The honeymoon was the most romantic place you could ever think of and honestly since saying ‘I do’, like we’ve just become closer as a family,” he proudly stated. Their commitment to each other has evidently strengthened their family unit, fostering an environment where everyone feels more connected and supported.
Beyond the initial honeymoon phase, Tarek highlighted their shared vision and determination for their future. “We’re working as a unit. We’re setting big goals. And we’re really working on setting us up in our family for the rest of our lives together,” he elaborated. This forward-thinking approach underscores their dedication not just to their marital bond, but to building a lasting legacy for their blended family. They are actively engaged in creating a stable and loving environment for Taylor and Brayden, while also looking forward to the possibility of welcoming a new baby. “We are enjoying every single moment of it and we couldn’t be more excited,” Tarek concluded, perfectly encapsulating the boundless happiness and optimism that defines Heather and Tarek El Moussa’s journey as they navigate married life, parenthood, and the exciting prospect of expanding their family.