Heather Rae El Moussa Says "Marriage Can Be Hard" in Anniversary Message to Tarek El Moussa

Heather Rae El Moussa honored her and Tarek El Moussa's fourth wedding anniversary with a message about the ups and downs of married life.

By Brahmjot Kaur Oct 24, 2025 6:52 PM
| Updated Oct 24, 2025 10:46 PM
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Watch: Heather Rae El Moussa Says “Marriage Can Be Hard” in Anniversary Message to Tarek El Moussa

Heather Rae El Moussa isn't flipping out over the woes of marriage.

As the Selling Sunset star celebrated her fourth wedding anniversary to Tarek El Moussa in a sweet tribute, she reflected on the beauty of their relationship and blended family.

"We've had such a full life together already," Heather wrote on Instagram Oct. 23. "Life can be hard, marriage can be hard. And I do know there will be ups and there will be downs but it is also so beautiful to be in this life with you as my partner."

Heather emphasized that "growing and learning" with Tarek—dad to his and Heather's son Tristan, 2, as well as kids Taylor, 15, and Brayden, 10, with ex Christina Haack—has been the most fulfilling part of their relationship. Indeed, she sees the experience as a chance to become "the best versions" of themselves.

"Thank you for inspiring me, guiding me, working SO hard for our family & loving us so deeply," she wrote. "I love you!! Happy 4 year anniversary lovey. Me & You."

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Heather Rae El Moussa Joked About "Family Drama” Days Before Christina Haack Divorce Finalized

As the Flipping El Moussas stars embrace the latest chapter of their marriage, the 38-year-old shared the importance of this particular celebration.

"The fourth anniversary, symbolized by fruit and flowers, celebrates love that's fully bloomed and begun to bear sweet fruit," she explained. "It's a reminder that the most beautiful relationships grow through care, patience, and the joy of nurturing something lasting together." 

Since Tarek, 44, and Heather said "I do" in 2021, the latter has continued building a bond with her stepchildren and Christina. In fact, the entire family, including Christina's son Hudson, 6, whom she shares with ex Ant Anstead, as well as her boyfriend Christopher Larocca came together to celebrate Taylor's 15th birthday last month.

And Heather even shared a loving birthday message on Instagram for the teen.

Presley Ann Photo/Shutterstock for DIRECTV's Christmas at Kathy's

"I can't even believe you are 15," she wrote. "I love you so much. I'm so grateful to have you in my life and to be your bonus mom. You have grown up to be so mature, kind and beyond beautiful. Thank you for loving me the way you do. I have so much fun with you and I can't wait for more memories & girls days! I love you."

Although fans have raised eyebrows about Heather's relationship with the Christina on the Coast star, she isn't letting it get in the way of their friendship. As she explained in July on her Instagram Stories, "It's crazy how far we've come & most will never understand how we are friends." 

"I'm grateful for our relationship & our ability to rise above the noise," she continued. "Cheers to you & can't wait to celebrate you! Xo."

Keep reading for more on Heather and Tarek's blended family.

Taylor Reese El Moussa, Christina and Tarek's Daughter

Christina and Tarek welcomed their first child together on Sept. 22, 2010.

Following their divorce, the pair continued to co-parent their daughter, who Christina has described as an "old soul who one minute can talk super deep about life and then quickly go back to being a kid."

"Her greatest ability is being able to start a conversation with anyone, anywhere," she said of Taylor. "Fun, smart, athletic, HAPPY, and always keeping us on our toes."

Brayden James El Moussa, Christina and Tarek's Son

Christina and Tarek welcomed their second child together on Aug. 20, 2015.

In addition to their oldest child Taylor, the two have continued to co-parent Brayden after their divorce. In the past, Tarek has described their son as "a ball of energy" and the "sweetest boy with the biggest heart."

"No words can describe how much brighter this boy makes my day," Tarek shared. "I feel blessed every single day to be his and Tay's dad and raising him and seeing him grow up makes me the happiest dad alive."

Ant Anstead, Christina's Second Husband

Almost a year after announcing her split from Tarek, Christina started dating Ant, a TV presenter from England, in October 2017. The two went public with their relationship in January 2018—the same month Christina's divorce from Tarek was finalized—and tied the knot in a winter-themed wedding at their home in Newport Beach, Calif., on Dec. 22, 2018.

Christina and Ant—who is dad to daughter Amelie and son Archie with his first wife Louise Storey—welcomed their first child together, son Hudson, in 2019.

The couple were married for less than two years before announcing their separation in September 2020. Their divorce was finalized nine months later.

Since the split, Ant has moved on with actress Renée Zellweger.

Hudson London Anstead, Christina and Ant's Son

Christina and Ant welcomed their son on Sept. 6, 2019. At the time, the baby boy arrived weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured at 19.5 inches long.

Though they agreed on shared legal and physical custody of Hudson when their divorce was finalized in June 2021, Ant filed for full custody in April 2022, claiming in court documents that his ex spends roughly "9 full days" with their child each month.

The following December, the exes reached an agreement in which both would "continue to have joint legal and joint physical custody" of Hudson, according to court documents obtained by E! News.  

Heather Rae Young, Tarek's Second Wife

Tarek met the Selling Sunset star on the Fourth of July in 2019, when they were partying on boats that had docked next to each other at a marina in Newport Beach, Calif. Later that month, the pair were spotted kissing on a yacht and Tarek confirmed to E! News they were dating that August, saying, "I never thought I'd say this word again, but this beautiful young lady, Heather Rae, is my girlfriend, officially."

The couple got engaged in July 2020 and became husband and wife on Oct. 23, 2021, exchanging vows during a romantic outdoor ceremony near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Heather has often referred to herself as the "bonus mom" of Tarek's two older children, Taylor and Brayden. "I already feel like I have two kids," she previously explained to E! News. "I'm raising Tarek's babies, and we have them 50 percent of the time. I am such a good bonus mommy. I adore those kids. I raise them like they're mine."

Tristan Jay El Moussa, Tarek and Heather's Son

Tarek and Heather welcomed their son on Jan. 31, 2023. At the time, the baby boy arrived weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces.

He was named Tristan because "Tarek was supposed to be named Tristan," according to Heather, "and his parents ended up naming him Tarek."

His middle name is a nod to Heather's dad.

Josh Hall, Christina's Third Husband

After calling it quits with her second husband Ant, Christina began dating Josh in 2021. The pair went public with their relationship that July, with Christina revealing that they had been together for "a few solid months."

According to the Flip or Flop star, she met Josh, a licensed realtor, that spring at a time in her life when she "wasn't in a state of fear or fight-or-flight" and had "taken time off social, hired a spiritual coach and smoked a Bufo toad" to "reset" her brain. 

Christina and Josh got engaged that September and tied the knot on Oct. 6, 2021.

Their actual wedding date wasn't known until Josh filed for divorce on July 15, 2024, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

The pair finalized their divorce in August 2025.

Christina's Parents

Until the process of remodeling her childhood home unfolded on the July 11, 2024, episode of Christina on the Coast, she had kept her roots pretty private, mainly sharing glimpses of her parents as grandparents.

In 2019, she shared in an Instagram post that "we all sit together—my family and Tarek's family" when they watch Taylor perform at her school's annual Christmas concert.

"A couple people acknowledged how nice this is- I know there are a lot of divorced couples (including Tarek's mom and dad) who do this too and it's honestly easier for everyone," she wrote at the time. "Plus Taylor's face lights up when she sees us all in the same row supporting her."

Stacie Adams and Jessica Hall, Christina's Sister-in-Laws

Though Josh's relationship with Christina pushed him into the spotlight, his sisters found fame way back in the aughts.

Stacie—or "Stacie the Bartender" as some fans remember her—was famously the target of Spencer Pratt's flirtations on The Hills. She has also appeared on Vanderpump Rules, most notably on season three as one of the bridesmaids in Scheana Shay's bridesmaids.

As for Jessica, the former Playboy model also made appearances on The Hills, as well as The Girls Next Door, Kendra, Kendra on Top and Kendra Sells Hollywood in support her best friend Kendra Wilkinson.

 

Angelique El Moussa, Tarek's Sister

The older sister of Tarek, Angelique is the owner of Latitude 33 Hair Artistry in Anaheim, Calif. She purchased one of Tarek and Christina's flipped homes on an episode of Flip or Flop in 2014 and later filmed a digital series with her HGTV host bro in 2019.

Dominique El Moussa and Robert Carroll, Tarek's Mom and Stepdad

Tarek's mother Dominique is no longer with the Flipping 101 star's father, whose name he has never publicly shared. She is currently married to Robert, who describes the El Moussa matriarch as "the love of my life" on Instagram.

Tarek's Dad

Tarek has never shared his father's name, though in a November 2017 Facebook post he announced that his "old man" had turned 70 years old.

"The relationship between a father and his children is so important. I was lucky enough to have a supportive and motivating father that made me believe I could accomplish anything in the world," he captioned a picture of the family's birthday celebrations for the patriarch. "I can say that I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of my dad. I will take all the lessons I've learned from him and pass it on to my children."

In an interview with Country Living, Tarek said his father was "raised Catholic in the Middle East in Lebanon and then Egypt" and met his mother, who is from Belgium, in Europe as a teen.

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