Heather Rae El Moussa Shares Sweet Birthday Tribute to ‘Bonus Daughter’ Taylor: ‘I Am So Lucky'
Heather Rae El Moussa is a proud (and nostalgic!) stepmom. The model — who shares stepkids Taylor, 14 and Brayden, 9 with husband Tarek El Moussa along with 1-year-old son Tristan — shared a touching tribute to “Tay” on her birthday.
“Tay, I can’t believe you are 14 today! It went too fast ????,” the Selling Sunset star wrote. She entered the teen’s life just over five years ago when a mutual friend introduced her to Tarek in 2019.
El Moussa’s carousel includes nine heartfelt photos. There are several of her and Taylor hugging, a couple of family shots with Tarek and Brayden too, and an adorable throwback of a young Taylor in a sparkly dress.
“You have grown up to be such a beautiful, driven, sophisticated young lady,” El Moussa continued “I love watching you with Tristan and I am so lucky that I get to have you as my beautiful bonus daughter, I’ve loved every moment with you. I love you so much, happy birthday sweet girl. ????????”
Tarek and his ex Christina Hall — with whom he shares Taylor and Brayden — both responded with three heart emojis — although Tarek chose red and Hall opted for hot pink.
“Heather, I love that way you love Tay,” one follower commented. “It’s authentic and you are a beautiful soul. Keep showing the world it’s OK to be a loving amazing wonderful talented stepmom.”
Fans were likely surprised to see so many photos of Taylor since El Moussa often leaves her out of posts. It’s a move that has not gone unnoticed. In an Instagram Q&A last week, El Moussa explained why Tay is often “missing.”
“My stepdaughter Taylor … [is] turning 14 this weekend,” she said. “She does not like to be in any photos, any videos right now, so that’s why you guys don’t see her often and on anything.”
“But she is there! She just doesn’t want to be in the pictures. So we respect her wishes,” El Moussa continued.
Tarek shared his own sweet tribute for his daughter, opening with a shot of him giving her a big smooch on the cheek.
“My little girl is 14. It went by so fast I could almost cry, but I’ve cherished every moment,” the HGTV star said. “She’s a strong, talented, beautiful young lady, and I couldn’t be more proud. A lot of time has passed, but we have so much more to look forward to, so I’m excited for everything to come ❤️ “
El Moussa commented on the post writing, “❤️❤️❤️love you Tay ????”
Hall also shared a birthday tribute to her firstborn.
“If you watched Flip or Flop since the beginning you watched me carry Taylor on my hip through all of season 1,” Hall reminisced. ” … Time has flown by way too quickly. Taylor changed my life in all the best ways. She challenges me, holds me accountable and makes me want to be a better person. She’s wise, strong willed, talented, beautiful and so fun to be around.
“She’s literally my favorite person and I’m so incredibly blessed to be her mama. ❤️”
El Moussa and Tarek commented “❤️❤️” and “????????” respectively, and we just love to see all three co-parents come together to celebrate Tay on her Big Day.
These blended celebrity families make it look easy!