Did Cole DeBoer Adopt Aubree? The Heartwarming Truth Behind The Teen Mom Family
The Burning Question Every Fan Is Asking
Did Cole DeBoer adopt Aubree? It’s the question that has simmered for years in the hearts of Teen Mom viewers, a storyline layered with love, legal complexity, and the unwavering bond of a chosen family. For over a decade, we’ve watched Chelsea Houska navigate motherhood as a young single parent to her bright, spirited daughter Aubree. Then came Cole DeBoer, the South Dakota native who swept Chelsea off her feet and seamlessly stepped into the role of dad. His devotion has been televised, his patience documented, and his love for Aubree undeniable. Yet, the legal paperwork—the final, formal step that would make Aubree legally his daughter—has remained frustratingly out of reach. This article dives deep into the poignant, ongoing saga of Cole’s desire to adopt his stepdaughter, the formidable legal barriers they face, and what this journey reveals about the modern American family.
The Foundation: Chelsea Houska & Cole DeBoer - A Biography
Before exploring the adoption journey, it’s essential to understand the two central figures at its heart. Their story is one of reality TV fame, small-town romance, and deliberate family building.
| Detail | Chelsea Houska DeBoer | Cole DeBoer |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Chelsea Leigh Houska DeBoer | Cole William DeBoer |
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1991 | July 6, 1989 |
| Known For | Teen Mom 2 star, entrepreneur, HGTV personality | Teen Mom 2 cast member, contractor, HGTV personality |
| Profession | Reality TV personality, business owner (store owner) | Contractor, Reality TV personality |
| Hometown | Vermillion, South Dakota | Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
| Key Relationship | Married to Cole DeBoer since 2016 | Married to Chelsea Houska since 2016 |
| Children | Aubree (with Adam Lind), Watson, Layne, Walker | Watson, Layne, Walker (with Chelsea), stepfather to Aubree |
Their lives are a blend of public scrutiny and private devotion, a dynamic that has shaped every decision regarding their family’s future.
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From Single Mom to Blended Family: The Houska-DeBoer Journey
A Teen Mom’s Beginning: Chelsea and Aubree
Chelsea Houska’s story began on MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and continued into the long-running franchise Teen Mom 2. Her daughter, Aubree Mae Lind, was born on September 7, 2009. The early seasons chronicled Chelsea’s struggles as a young single mom, her tumultuous relationship with Aubree’s biological father, Adam Lind, and her determination to build a stable life. Aubree grew up on our screens, a testament to Chelsea’s fierce maternal protectiveness.
Love at First Sight: The Gas Station Meeting
In a moment of real-life magic that feels scripted for television, Chelsea and Cole met at a gas station in South Dakota in 2014. As Chelsea later shared, it was “love at first sight.” Cole, a contractor with a quiet demeanor and strong work ethic, was immediately drawn to Chelsea and her then-toddler daughter. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and Cole didn’t hesitate to embrace the role of father to Aubree. Fans watched as he coached her t-ball, helped with homework, and provided the steady male presence she lacked. This genuine, organic connection became the bedrock of their family.
Expanding the Family: Watson, Layne, and Walker
While Cole’s love for Aubree was instantaneous, the couple soon began building their own biological family. Their first son, Watson Cole DeBoer, arrived in January 2017. He was followed by daughter Layne Elsie DeBoer in August 2018, and finally, son Walker Keith DeBoer in January 2021. The DeBoer household became a lively, joyful chaos of sass, sweetness, and endless energy. Cole’s role evolved from stepdad to father of three, but his commitment to Aubree never wavered; she remained his first child in his heart and daily life.
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The Adoption Dream: Cole’s Heartfelt Desire and the Legal Wall
“I’d Adopt Her Right Now”: A Father’s Wish on National TV
The topic of formal adoption has never been taboo in the DeBoer home. In fact, Cole has been consistently and publicly clear about his desire to legally adopt Aubree. A pivotal moment came during an episode of Teen Mom 2 where the couple faced a tough decision about Aubree’s future. Cole admitted with raw emotion, “I would adopt her right now if I could.” His answer, as one headline perfectly captured, was guaranteed to “melt your heart.” For Cole, adoption isn’t about replacing a biological parent; it’s about the ultimate legal affirmation of the father-daughter bond they’ve cultivated for nearly a decade. It’s about security, last names, and the simple, profound right to be called “Dad” on every official document.
The Unmovable Obstacle: Adam Lind’s Parental Rights
Here lies the crux of the entire saga. Although Cole DeBoer has said he would love to legally adopt Aubree, her biological father, Adam Lind, has not relinquished his parental rights. In the United States, a step-parent adoption requires the consent of both living biological parents unless that parent’s rights have been legally terminated by a court due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other severe grounds. While Adam’s involvement in Aubree’s life has been inconsistent and often contentious over the years, he has maintained his legal standing. He has not voluntarily signed away his rights, and to date, there has been no public indication of a successful legal petition to terminate them. This single fact creates an insurmountable legal barrier. No amount of love from Cole, no agreement from Chelsea, and no desire from Aubree herself (who has expressed she considers Cole her dad) can bypass this requirement. The process is stalled, not by lack of will, but by the immutable laws governing parental rights.
The Emotional Toll on the Family
This limbo has undoubtedly shaped the family’s dynamics. Cole has openly discussed taking on even more responsibility to ensure Aubree feels secure, knowing the legal title of “father” is absent. He parents her fully in every practical sense—making medical decisions, supporting her education, and providing a home—but the legal adoption would seal that role with permanence. For Aubree, who has known Cole as “Dad” since she was a toddler, the distinction is likely a technicality. Yet, for the family, the unresolved status is a persistent reminder of the past’s grip on their present.
Fan Reactions, Clickbait, and Public Opinion
David Eason’s Comment and the Clickbait Cycle
The sensitivity of this issue was thrown into sharp relief when former “Teen Mom 2” star David Eason (ex-husband of Jenelle Evans) publicly commented on the situation. His wife, Jenelle, had shared a clickbait story suggesting Cole was “adopting” Aubree. David felt compelled to state his opinion, likely reflecting a common fan misconception that the adoption had already occurred. This incident highlights how the constant buzz around the family can distort reality. Fans, hungry for updates, can be misled by sensational headlines, creating confusion about the actual legal status. The DeBoers have had to navigate not only their private legal hurdles but also public speculation and misinformation.
What Fans Have Witnessed: A Relationship Under the Microscope
Fans have watched his relationship with Chelsea and his integration into Aubree’s life from the very beginning. They’ve seen the tearful goodbyes during custody exchanges with Adam, the birthday celebrations, the family vacations, and the quiet moments of connection. This longitudinal view has made Cole one of the most beloved figures in the Teen Mom universe. His steady, no-drama approach stands in stark contrast to many other cast members’ tumultuous relationships. Consequently, the public roots for his legal parenthood. The collective fan sentiment is one of frustration at the legal system and empathy for a man who has been a father in every way but the paper.
Life Beyond the Adoption Question: The DeBoers’ Expanding Empire
“Rock the Block” and the HGTV Spotlight
While the adoption question lingers, the DeBoer family has been busy building their public brand. “Rock the Block,” season 6, premieres on Monday, April 21, at 9/8c on HGTV. Chelsea and Cole are featured participants, showcasing their home renovation skills alongside other contractor couples. This platform allows them to display their teamwork, Cole’s trade expertise, and Chelsea’s design eye—all while Aubree and their younger children are often part of the narrative. Their presence on HGTV represents a positive evolution from the Teen Mom days, transforming their story from one of teen struggle to one of skilled, entrepreneurial adulthood.
A New Venture: The Home Goods Store
Sometimes, teen mom alum Chelsea Houska told E! News, “mother really does know best—particularly when it comes to her and husband Cole DeBoer’s HGTV series and their new home goods store.” This venture is a natural extension of their on-screen work. They have launched a physical store (and likely an online component) selling curated home decor, furniture, and accessories. It’s a business built on their shared aesthetic and the trust fans have in their taste. For Chelsea, it’s a powerful statement of agency—moving from a subject of reality TV to a creator and business owner, with Cole as her partner in every sense.
How Did They Meet? The Origin Story Revisited
The foundational question of how Chelsea and Cole DeBoer met is more than a cute anecdote; it’s the proof of their authentic, unscripted beginning. That chance encounter at the gas station in 2014 set in motion a chain of events that created a stable, loving family for four children. Their story is a reminder that sometimes the most significant life partnerships begin in the most ordinary places, built on genuine connection rather than industry connections.
The Bigger Picture: Understanding Step-Parent Adoption in America
Why the Law Is So Strict
The requirement for both biological parents’ consent exists to protect children from being severed from a parent against their will without due process. The state’s paramount concern is the child’s welfare, and the law presumes that a child’s best interest is served by maintaining legal ties to both biological parents unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates that one parent is unfit or has abandoned the child. Proving grounds like abandonment requires a high legal bar—often showing a prolonged period (e.g., 6 months to a year) of no contact, no support, and no parental involvement. While Adam Lind’s role has been minimal, establishing legal abandonment in court is a complex, costly, and emotionally draining process that the DeBoers have not publicly pursued or achieved.
Practical Steps for Families in Similar Situations
For step-parents seeking to adopt, the general legal pathway involves:
- Obtaining Consent: Securing a notarized, voluntary relinquishment of parental rights from the other biological parent.
- Filing a Petition: Submitting an adoption petition to the family court in the child’s county of residence.
- Home Study: Undergoing a home study by a licensed agency or social worker to assess the suitability of the home (though some step-parent adoptions have simplified requirements).
- Termination of Rights (if necessary): If the other parent does not consent, filing a petition to terminate their parental rights based on statutory grounds (abandonment, unfitness, etc.). This leads to a court hearing where evidence must be presented.
- Finalization: A court hearing where a judge reviews all documents and, if satisfied, issues an adoption decree, often including a name change.
The DeBoers’ situation underscores that the emotional reality of parenthood and the legal reality are not always aligned.
Conclusion: A Family Defined by Love, Not Just Law
So, did Cole DeBoer adopt Aubree? The legal answer, as of now, is no. The paperwork is not complete, the court order not issued, because the legal gatekeeper—Aubree’s biological father—has not opened the gate. Yet, to reduce this family’s story to a binary legal status would be a profound misunderstanding. Cole DeBoer is Aubree’s dad. He has been for the vast majority of her life. He has poured his heart, his time, his resources, and his unconditional love into her. He has raised her alongside his own children, creating a blended family unit that functions with all the love and commitment any “traditional” family could hope for.
Their journey highlights a modern family truth: family is often forged in commitment, not just in biology or law. While the formal adoption remains a hopeful “someday” goal, blocked by legalities beyond their immediate control, the DeBoers demonstrate daily that parenthood is an active verb. It’s shown in Cole teaching Aubree to drive, in him cheering her on at events, in him being the stable, supportive father figure she has always deserved.
As fans continue to watch them on Rock the Block and follow their store’s success, we see a family that has moved far beyond the labels of “teen mom” or “step-parent.” They are Chelsea, Cole, Aubree, Watson, Layne, and Walker—a team building a life, a home, and a business together. The adoption paperwork may be pending, but the bond is already sealed. In the court of their everyday lives, Cole DeBoer was awarded the title of “Dad” long ago, and no legal document can ever take that away. The heartwarming truth is that for Aubree, and for all who watch them, Cole isn’t waiting to adopt her; he already has, in every way that truly matters.
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Chelsea Houska's daughter Aubree approves of boyfriend Cole DeBoer
Aubree Skye Lind-Deboer is the daughter of Chelsea Houska and Adam Lind.
Aubree Skye Lind-Deboer is the daughter of Chelsea Houska and Adam Lind.
