Collin Gosselin is making it clear that family doesn’t always have to be blood.
As Jon Gosselin and Kate Gosselin’s son prepares to release his personal memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, in October 2026, Collin is celebrating the special relationship he has with Colleen Conrad.
“She is the strongest woman I know, who stepped in at the toughest part of my life and CHOSE to be a mother to me,” Collin wrote of his dad’s ex-girlfriend via Instagram in June 2026. “Happy birthday to my wonderful, hardworking, passionate, and I could go on… to my real mom ❤️ I love you so much.”
Conrad replied in the comments, “I’ll always be here for you and you are my son. I love you!”
Us Weekly is taking a closer look at Collin and Conrad’s close bond over the years. Keep reading to learn more about their special relationship:
Who Is Colleen Conrad?
Collin Gosselin, Colleen Conrad Courtesy of Collin Gosselin/Instagram
Conrad dated Collin’s dad, Jon, for seven years before they broke up in 2021.
“It’s really hard to even talk about it. When you’re with someone that long, especially in the public eye and she’s someone private,” Jon shared with The Sun when confirming the split. “We had some struggles and we tried to push through them as best we could, but it didn’t really work out the way we thought it would. I still love and care for Colleen, but we’ve both determined that it’s the natural end.”
Although Conrad tries to keep her personal life private, she is a nurse practitioner and a proud cancer survivor.
What Has Collin Gosselin Said About Colleen Conrad?
Hours after Collin unveiled the cover of his book for the first time, the former TLC reality star decided to celebrate Conrad’s birthday.
“The love you feel for a mom you were given is incredible. But the love you feel for a mom that CHOSE you is something so powerful,” he wrote via Instagram in June 2026. “I am so fortunate ❤️ @colleen.conrad122 I love you so much 🫶🏼.”
What Has Colleen Conrad Said About Collin Gosselin?
Collin Gosselin, Colleen Conrad Courtesy ofColleen Conrad/Instagram
In September 2023, Conrad celebrated National Son’s Day by sharing a rare Instagram post about Collin.
“To a very special person who came into my life and I have always considered him as a son!!” she wrote at the time with several photos of the pair over the years. “I love you and I am proud of you Collin Gosselin!!”
In a separate post, Conrad celebrated Collin’s book cover by writing, “His story is finally becoming a reality and I am so incredibly proud of him for all the hard work that he put into this and having the courage to write it.”
Collin Gosselin thanked the special adults in his life who helped him reach his latest milestone, but his mom, Kate Gosselin, didn’t get a shout-out. The 19-year-old commemorated his recent high school graduation on Thursday, June 22, in a lengthy Instagram post that included a nod to his dad, Jon Gosselin, and his sister Hannah. […]
What Has Collin Gosselin Said About Kate Gosselin?
After appearing alongside his seven siblings on TLC’s Jon & Kate Plus 8 for much of his toddlerhood through adolescence, Collin became estranged from his mom and chose to live with his dad. (Jon and Kate’s divorce was finalized in 2009.)
Collin later began speaking out about the alleged abuse he experienced from his mother. (Kate’s lawyer shared in a 2024 interview with Fox News that she would not be responding to the allegations.)
In his upcoming book, Collin hopes to share his truth and experience growing up in the spotlight.
“This book is about truth, survival, resilience and finding my voice after years of being silenced,” he told Us. “If my story helps even one person feel less alone or gives them the courage to tell their own, then every difficult page was worth writing.”
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