Tarek El Moussa'S Hilariously Disastrous First Date With Heather Rae

The Chaotic Beginning of a Love Story

Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae El Moussa are now a power couple, but their first date was anything but smooth sailing. The HGTV star shared a wild recount of their initial outing on Instagram Reels, leading up to their fourth wedding anniversary on October 17. "It was a debacle," Tarek confessed with a laugh.

Their journey began in Newport Beach, California, on the Fourth of July in 2019, introduced by mutual friends. Although fans knew the basics of their meeting, Tarek had kept the details of their first date under wraps – until now.

"She blew me off. For a second there, I was sulking," Tarek admitted, recalling how Heather initially canceled their date.

From Cancelled Plans to a Memorable Date

Determined not to let Heather slip away, Tarek texted her, insisting he was "different" from what she might perceive and persuaded her to give him a chance. This led to a plan for a low-key wine date – her suggestion, as it seemed less formal than dinner.

On the big day, Tarek had just flown in from South Africa and was the keynote speaker at an event. As a helicopter distracted the guests, he made an early exit, apologizing humorously to those present. "We got married, we have kids, so you can't be mad anymore," he joked.

A Sweaty Situation and a Near-Knockout

After a nerve-wracking two-hour drive, Tarek met Heather, only to realize he was overdressed in a Christmas sweater – in July! "I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead," he shared, taking frequent restroom breaks to cool off.

Heather, noticing his discomfort, suggested they let loose and have fun. "Next thing I know, we're taking shots, having drinks," Tarek said, recalling how he nearly tore his sweater off in the process.

Love Conquers All – Even Bumps and Bruises

Despite the wardrobe mishap, the pair hit it off, moving to another bar. In a comedic twist, Tarek tried to retrieve a forgotten sweater for Heather but ran head-first into a door. "I acted like nothing happened, other than that the side of my head was sticking up," he recounted.

The date ended on a sweet note with their first kiss, proving that sometimes chaos can lead to miracles. Tarek and Heather tied the knot in October 2021 and have since welcomed their son, Tristan, into the world, along with Tarek's children, Taylor and Brayden, from his previous marriage.

This story was first reported by Parade on October 20, 2025. Stay tuned for more celebrity tales and exclusive interviews by subscribing to Parade's Daily newsletter.