Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa: A Timeline of Their Relationship

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Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Heather Rae El Moussa (née Young) and Tarek El Moussa's whirlwind love story is too cute for words.

The twosome first crossed paths on the 4th of July in 2019 when they were boating with mutual friends in Newport Beach, California. Later that month, Tarek and Heather were seen getting cozy on a boat in Redondo Beach, California.

Tarek went on to confirm their relationship that August via Instagram. At the time, he shared a photo of the duo alongside a sweet message about how he was able to find happiness in love.

“I’ll be honest and say I never thought I would meet someone special in my life after the last three years. Then … out of the blue @heatherraeyoung walked into my life,” he explained. “The first time I saw her smile she ‘did that thing to my tummy’ and I knew right away I needed to get to know her ...  so I asked her out!! She said yes 😎 .”

Tarek continued, “In life, you can’t predict the future! I couldn’t predict [my] divorce! I couldn’t predict two cancers! I couldn’t predict my back injury! You just never know what tomorrow brings. I just want to let the world know I met someone special that makes me want to be a better man.”

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Their relationship continued to progress relatively quickly. Later that August, Heather revealed exclusively to Us Weekly that she believed Tarek could be The One.

"We are just really, really happy,” she told Us at the time. “He has all the qualities that I would want in someone. I think we just need to spend more time together before we can make that decision.”

The pair then spent the holidays together and moved in together in early 2020. After celebrating their one-year anniversary, Tarek asked Heather to marry him. “The Future Mrs. Tarek El Moussa!!!!” the real estate agent wrote via Instagram, sharing a photo from the moment he proposed.

On Heather's “Flashbacks With Jessica Hall and Heather Young” podcast, she revealed that the engagement wasn’t a total shock. “I knew it was gonna come eventually because we talked about marriage,” she shared. “We looked at rings like three months in. Nothing serious, but we went and looked.”

Tarek was previously married to Christina Hall (née Haack) from 2009 to 2018. Together, they share daughter Taylor and son Brayden.

Scroll down to see how Tarek and Heather's romance has flourished.

Credit: Courtesy of Eigstagram/Instagram

July 2019

After meeting on the 4th of July, Tarek and Heather were spotted cozying up with one another on a boat in Redondo Beach, California.

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

August 2019

Tarek confirmed their relationship via Instagram, writing: “It’s official!!!! After more than 3 years on my own, I’m so PROUD to say that this beautiful, sweet and talented young lady is my girlfriend! The first time I saw her smile, she ‘did that thing to my tummy’ and I knew right away I needed to get to know her...so I asked her out!! She said yes.”

Heather, meanwhile, told Us that she believed Tarek could be The One. “We are just really, really happy,” she explained. “He has all the qualities that I would want in someone.”

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

November 2019

The duo spent Thanksgiving together in Europe.

Credit: JJ Velasquez

December 2019

Tarek posted a holiday photo of the couple in matching pajamas with his kids.

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

January 2020

The pair kicked off the new year together with a trip with his kids to Mammoth Mountain in California. That same month, the twosome moved in together in West Hollywood. “It was so natural for us,” Heather told Us at the time, while Tarek said their new home is “a whole new world.”

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

February 2020

Tarek confirmed that the pair filmed together for his show Flipping 101.

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March 2020

During a round of Us’ “Newly Dating Game,” the duo revealed that they first dropped the L bomb on their fifth day of knowing each other.

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

April 2020

Tarek confirmed that the two reality stars moved into a new home together. “My [old] home was a very special home to me. It was the first house that the kids and I called ‘home’ after the split,” he wrote on Instagram. “This move brings a lot of emotions because it reminds me just how much life can change in a few years.”

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

July 2020

Heather honored her romance with Tarek on their one-year anniversary. “From the first day I met you, to our first date and our second date when we decided to commit 100% before we barely even knew each other,” she wrote via Instagram. “But we knew what we had was special. We had that butterflies in your tummy, can’t eat, can’t stop smiling soul mate love. ❤️ ”

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

July 2020

The couple announced their engagement via Instagram after one year of dating. 

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

August 2020

The pair celebrated their engagement with a trip to Cabo. Tarek noted via Instagram that they were “hanging in a cabana trying to plan a wedding.”

Credit: Courtesy Heather Rae Young/Instagram

August 2020

Tarek paid tribute to his fiancée as he celebrated his birthday on August 21. "What can I say🤷‍♂️. It’s my 39th birthday, my kids are happy and healthy, and I’m in love with @heatherraeyoung," he captioned a photo with Heather and his children at son Brayden's 5th birthday celebration the day before. "I got a second chance at life. I’m not gonna waste it. Love you all."

Heather shared her own tribute to Tarek on Instagram, writing, "I am thankful for the universe for bringing us together. We truly are soulmates & best friends. Tarek you are the most loyal, honest, loving person I have ever met. Without you my love I’d be a lost person, you give me strength, motivation & confidence. I can’t imagine my life without you. I can’t wait to grow old together, kiss you you everyday and conquer this world as a team. I am in love with you Mr. El Moussa! You and me forever! future Mrs. El Moussa I can’t wait to be your wifey."

Credit: Courtesy Tarek El Moussa/ Instagram

September 2020

Tarek wished his “caring, adorable, incredible, beautiful, drop dead gorgeous” fiancé a happy birthday on September 16. “What can I say about this girl! She’s my best friend in the world and I wake up every day feeling like the luckiest man alive,” he captioned an Instagram tribute to Heather on her 33rd birthday.

He continued: “We started living together weeks after meeting. No one knew what to expect but she has completely changed our lives. My kids are obsessed with her and for good reason. She takes amazing care of them and shows them so much love.”

Tarek noted that the first half of their romance involved traveling the world, while the second half has seen them cooped up at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. “I can’t wait for all of our new and exciting adventures that are coming in the future... especially our honeymoon!!!” Tarek added. “We love you so much and we can’t wait to make it official!!!...Mrs. El Moussa❤️ Thank you for being the person you are. I love you to the moon and back.”

Credit: Courtesy Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

September 2020

Tarek celebrated his daughter Taylor's 10th birthday on September 23 while Heather brought Tarek's son, Brayden, to his favorite restaurant. "You better swipe because it’s a double date night!! Kind of lol," Tarek captioned a series of photos via Instagram of the foursome in color-coordinated outfits. "Taylor and I are at dinner celebrating her 10th birthday. She loves daddy-daughter date night so it’s just us! At the same time, @heatherraeyoung is taking Bray out to his favorite restaurant!"

Credit: Courtesy Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

December 2020

While reflecting on the day he met his soon-to-be wife, the HGTV personality admitted his first impression wasn't the best. When the pair were introduced in July 2019, Tarek had already tried to shoot his shot with Heather over Instagram while she was living overseas with her ex-boyfriend. "She was like, 'You already asked me out,'" he joked on the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast in December 2020. "So I looked back [at my DMs] and asked, 'So, do you still have that boyfriend?' and she's like, 'Nope.'"

Heather, meanwhile, admitted she was "excited" to change her name after tying the knot. "I'm going to be Heather Rae El Moussa. I'm going to drop my last name," Heather explained on the podcast. "It might just be Heather El Moussa. We don't know yet."

Credit: JJ Velasquez Photo

December 2020

“It’s that time again!! Matching jammies 🎅🏻,” Heather captioned a festive snap with her then-fiancé and his two children in December 2020. “Thank you to my fiancé @therealtarekelmoussa for being a bad ass & wearing whatever I tell him to. 😂😂😂😂 because we got the cutest pic with the cutest kids ❤️❤️❤️ This is our Christmas card!! Happy holidays to you! Xo.”

Credit: Courtesy Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

January 2021

Tarek reflected on their whirlwind romance on January 23, sharing a photo with Heather as they celebrated their 18-month anniversary in NYC. "It's incredible to think how much life can change in a short period of time," he wrote. "I came home with @heatherraeyoung after 4 days of dating, she moved in, and we never looked back. She has exponentially improved the lives of everyone in my family. Everyone said I was crazy but here we are engaged almost two years later. She's our rock, our best friend, and my hunny bunny. We love you to the moon and back. Can't wait to take more photos like this in fun places like New York City! I can't wait to continue to build this life with you. You make me a better man :)"

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

February 2021

Heather got "Yes sir, Mr. El Moussa" tattooed on her hip in February 2021 ahead of Valentine's Day. "I love you handsome! Best Friends Forever," she captioned an Instagram photo debuting the dainty ink.

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

February 2021

Tarek gushed about his fiancée and her work ethic via Instagram on February 20, revealing that it was something that was important to him going into their relationship.

"Always on the road, always working: fun fact about me is that no matter where we are, my mind is almost always on business or I'm almost always working on my laptop or phone. A couple posts ago, I told you that family is my biggest motivator which is why my work ethic is the way it is but let me just say how nice it is to have someone by my side who encourages this side of me and is right there with me, working just as hard as I am," he captioned a snap of him kissing the real estate mogul on the cheek.

Tarek continued, "My love, @heatherraeyoung, is as smart and driven as she is beautiful and kind and I'm so lucky. We complement each other, we push each other, and it makes me smile just thinking about it."

That same day, Heather revealed via her Instagram Story that she and her beau were shopping for land in California where she grew up.

"We're looking at properties to buy land and build something," she said as she panned the camera around a wooded piece of property. "There's my honey and my dad. The kiddos are back there."

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

April 2021

"Love of my life,” Tarek captioned Instagram footage from the couple's engagement party. “Last night was perfect. You could say I’m ready to #flipherlastname.”

Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

July 2021

The reality stars celebrated one year of being engaged with Instagram posts. "One year ago today I made the best decision of my life by saying yes to spending forever with the most special man. I remember when he proposed… in that moment everything melted away and I was just staring at my forever person, fully in tears thinking how lucky I was that I got to spend the rest of my life with him," Heather wrote at the time next to a kissing pic. "Thank you to the man who has put a smile on my face every single day. You have shown me what true love and family are all about. I fall more and more in love with you as I watch how amazing of a dad you are with the babies, how hard you work, and how you put family and your loved ones first in your life."

Credit: Courtesy Duke Images

August 2021

“Marrying my man SO SOON!! It’s all happening and what’s crazy is that I’m actually calm and relaxed about it. Tarek and I are on the same page with everything we want and everything else we’ve left up to our amazing wedding planners. 🙌🏻,” Heather wrote via Instagram. “We’re just excited to spend the rest of our lives together and that’s really what we want the whole day to be celebrating.”

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

August 2021

"Happy 40th to my sweet love @therealtarekelmoussa," Heather gushed in an Instagram Story on her then-fiancé's milestone birthday. "I love you so much."

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

September 2021

The soon-to-be-married couple celebrated their upcoming nuptials with a joint bachelor and bachelorette party in Palm Desert, California. The festivities included multiple pool days (one ‘80s themed), a nice dinner and spa treatments. “I'm so excited. We're doing all of our fun activities right now,” Heather exclusively told Us of the couple’s plans. “We thought, like, Vegas would have been really chaotic and traveling somewhere would have been super chaotic. So, we thought being more local [in the Palm Springs area was best].”

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

September 2021

For Heather's birthday, Tarek shared a sweet tribute to his love alongside a selfie of the couple, weeks before their nuptials. “It’s just crazy how time flies,” he captioned his post. “I feel like it was just yesterday I was announcing to the world I was with @heatherraeyoung and today marks us celebrating her third birthday together. Not 3 years old but 3 birthdays lol. I can’t believe our wedding is weeks away and I’m marrying my best friend in the world. I’ll say it again, she’s the best person I’ve ever met. She has turned me into a different person and brought me back to life. I’m healthier and happier than I’ve ever been in my adult life. ... I wake up every day feeling like the luckiest guy in the world. Bunny I love you to the moon and back .”

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

October 2021

The two tied the knot in an outdoor wedding ceremony on October 23 in Santa Barbara, California.

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

November 2021

The newlyweds went to the Maldives to have some beachside bonding time after the big day. "Feeling so grateful to be here with my husband and just feeling so at peace. To be with a man who protects me and makes me feel safe and so loved is all I’ve ever dreamed of," Heather shared via Instagram. "I wake up every morning here and at home and I look over at the man that I’ve been manifesting my whole life. Taking in every moment and not taking anything for granted."

Credit: Stefanie Marie Photography

December 2021

The duo celebrated their first Christmas as spouses with Tarek's children. "Merry Christmas from The El Moussa fam!" he wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of the group posing in front of their tree. "Gifts are great but what I love about Christmas is the family aspect. Most of the stores in town are shut down, the city slows down for a second, and we get to spend the day with our loved ones. Hope you’re all doing the same and hope you all have a great Christmas."

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/TikTok

December 2021

Following Heather's wedding to Tarek, she was vocal about her fertility and egg-freezing journey, opening up about her experience via TikTok.

“I just did my ultrasound and she checked to see how many follicles I have,” Heather explained in a December 28 TikTok video. “I have six on one side and then, on the other side, I have a cyst, which is fine, they just monitor it but she couldn’t find any follicles on that side. So, if we decide to move forward, we will start the process next week to get me ready for the egg freezing in January. Last time I did this, I got six healthy eggs … on ice right now.”

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae El Moussa/Instagram

January 2022

Heather praised her spouse for supporting her through her IVF journey. "He's the best husband. I don't think I could do it without him and I think that's so important for women that are going through this, to have someone — if it's not a boyfriend or a husband or a partner — but someone in their lives to turn to," Heather told Entertainment Tonight at the time. "Because you're going though a lot of emotions, the hormones affect you and you need to be able to talk to someone."

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae El Moussa/Instagram

March 2022

"Next up ... passport pic!" Heather wrote via her Instagram Story, chronicling her quest to change her last name after tying the knot. "My last step to officially be an El Moussa."

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

April 2022

The pair got matching tattoos of their wedding date on their respective arms. Tarek also inked his arm with his kids’ birthdays, noting they left “room for our future children.” On their hands, the couple got each other’s initials.

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

June 2022

The two smooched while on the red carpet at the MTV Movie & TV Awards Unscripted in Los Angeles. "Originally, we did not plan on having children together," Heather exclusively told Us ahead of the awards show. "He’s so devoted to them, so devoted to me, and I couldn’t imagine not having a baby with him."

Tarek chimed in, telling Us, "We're working on it, though!"

Credit: Courtesy Heather Rae Young/Instagram

June 2022

"If you asked me a few years ago if I thought I was going to meet another woman to be a part of mine and the kids lives, I'd say no but who knew I was going to find my best friend, my confidant, my soulmate 😍," Tarek wrote via Instagram alongside footage of his life with Heather. "I believe everyone has a soulmate that they can spend the rest of their life together. I'm lucky to have found mine, the woman of my dreams, the perfect step-mom to my kids, and of course the sweetest mom to our bugsy, ❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦.”

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

July 2022

Tarek celebrated the third anniversary of their first meeting by gushing over his wife. "You know those moments in life that change everything? 3 years ago today I had one of those moments," he wrote via Instagram. "I met @heatherraeyoung while I was out boating — if you haven’t heard the story, it’s a good one 🤣 but I remember knowing instantly that I had met the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with … a little insane right!? But when you know you know 🤷🏻‍♂️ The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite days: boating, summer, BBQ’s, friends and family but now it’s even more special to me. So happy first-day-I-met-you @heatherraeyoung and happy fourth of July to everyone else."

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae El Moussa/Instagram

July 2022

“Surprise!!! Baby El Moussa coming early 2023!!” the couple announced via social media, sharing photos of Heather’s growing baby bump. Later that month, the pair announced they were expecting a baby boy.

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

August 2022

Heather shared a "first glimpse" of the couple's baby after learning they were expecting a little boy.

”I love ultrasounds because I get to see him and hear his heartbeat. As a new mom-to-be these things give me flutters in the best way but it’s also nerve racking because you want to make sure your baby is healthy and in the best condition possible. Overall, the ultrasound went great and getting a little peek at our boy made my week," she wrote alongside ultrasound photos she shared via Instagram.

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

August 2022

After a Twitter troll claimed Heather's marriage had become her "entire personality," the then-expectant star clapped back. "No girl, It's called true love," she tweeted at the time. "That most people never get to experience. Lucky enough I found one of the most incredible men out there."

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

September 2022

The family celebrated Taylor's 12th birthday with a night out at a waterfront restaurant. 

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

November 2022

The couple celebrated their first home collaboration via Instagram, informing their fans of open house viewings for the property. "This one of the first ever custom Tarek and Heather designed homes- We spent months perfecting this home and it's a must see!" Tarek captioned a carousel of photos showing off the interior and exterior.

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae Young/Instagram

November 2022

"Happy Thanksgiving from The El Moussa family 🙏🤍," Heather captioned an Instagram montage of sweet footage with her husband. "This year, I'm in disbelief at how much I have to be thankful for- I feel so lucky to be celebrating this Thanksgiving with a growing boy. We will be holding him so soon, It's surreal. 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 apart of it all. I hope you have a beautiful day🙏❤️."

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

December 2022

"Dedicating this post to my wife who is an absolute rockstar!! She manages to make every Christmas better than the last — even while being in her third trimester ❤️," Tarek wrote via Instagram. "She makes sure our home FEELS like the holidays:) and sets up elves around the house for the kids, dresses us all up in Christmas pjs for family photos, laughs through the chaos, and makes sure to get everyone gifts that make them feel special."

Tarek added: "For a while there I had some lonely holidays and I’m never going back! I don’t know how she does it, but I feel so lucky. 🙏."

Credit: Courtesy of Tarek El Moussa/Instagram

February 2023

The couple announced the arrival of their first child together. "Becoming a father for the third time is just as exciting as it was the first time. Our baby boy is doing amazing and Heather was a rockstar during labor," Tarek exclusively gushed to Us. "I don't think I've ever seen Tay and Bray as happy as they were when they met their little brother."

Credit: MEGA

February 2023

After welcoming their newborn son, the twosome exclusively revealed to Us their little one’s name.

“Tristan Jay El Moussa,” Heather gushed, adding in the sentimental inspiration for the moniker. “Tarek was supposed to be named Tristan, and his parents ended up naming him Tarek. And then my dad’s middle name is Jay. So it’s four generations of the middle name Jay.”

Credit: Courtesy of Heather Rae El Moussa/Instagram

August 2023

Heather celebrated Tarek’s 42nd birthday with a loving tribute shared via Instagram. “Happy birthday to you, my darling love,” she wrote. “If only people could know the man that I have known for over 4 1/2 years … not the BS out there. You are loyal above anything, you have a passion for life, the biggest heart, giving, you wake up every single day to work your ass off to protect our family & work hard for us. You put others before yourself and genuinely want to change and motivate people’s lives. I love seeing you as a dad & raising kids with you is such a beautiful thing. Thank you for making me a step mama & now mamma to our beautiful son. They adore you. We all do.”