Jon Gosselin’s ex-partner, Colleen Conrad, has shared an emotional public reaction after reading Collin Gosselin’s memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood. The nurse practitioner, who dated Jon from 2014 to 2021, congratulated the 22-year-old on his book and reflected on their bond that has outlasted her romantic connection.
Conrad’s heartfelt message comes as Collin’s book revisits his difficult childhood and alleged years of abuse while he lived with Kate.
Colleen Conrad becomes emotional as she reflects on her bond with Collin: ‘I needed you, too’
Conrad took to Instagram on Friday, October 23, 2026, to celebrate Collin’s memoir, which reached No. 1 on The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list within days of its release. She shared a video featuring photos of the two together, accompanied by a lengthy message about how proud she was of his achievement and how deeply his words had affected her.
Conrad began her message, writing, “Collin, where do I even begin? A #1 New York Times bestselling author! Who would have imagined that all those years ago? I am so incredibly proud of you!”
Looking back on when she first met Collin, Conrad said she knew he had already experienced more hardship than any child should have to face. Although she could not have predicted what the coming years would bring, she knew she wanted him to “feel safe, loved, and supported.” She continued:
“We’ve shared so much together. The laughter, the tears, the holidays, the vacations, the challenges, and all those everyday moments I’ll treasure forever. Watching you grow into the man you are today has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”
Conrad reflected on how much their relationship had meant to her, explaining that while Collin needed her during difficult times, she had come to rely on their bond, too. Colleen, who was fighting breast cancer while she was dating Jon Gosselin, said:
“Listening to your book was incredibly emotional… I was going through breast cancer, the end of my relationship with your dad, and so many changes in my own life. Through it all, there was a teenage boy who needed me. And what you may never fully realize is how much I needed you, too. We helped each other through some incredibly difficult times.”
Conrad revealed that she had listened to the audiobook version of In the Shadow of Eight before receiving a physical copy. When she read the acknowledgment Collin wrote about her, the words brought her to tears again.
In the book, Collin describes Conrad as the mother figure he needed during a challenging period of his life. He wrote, “You stepped into my life as the mother I needed most,” before adding, “Strong men need strong mothers, and I was so fortunate to have mine.”
For Conrad, the acknowledgment meant something special. She said she was proud of Collin’s accomplishment but even prouder of the person he had become. She concluded her heartfelt note, writing, “No matter how old you get or where life takes you, I will always be your mom. I will always love you and cheer you on… Love you always.”
Collin responded to the post with an equally emotional message, expressing gratitude for the love and support Conrad had given him. He wrote:
“If I could’ve gone through all the hard things again, I’d gladly do it, because it led me to you. You’re kind, loving, funny, and you love in a way that a real mother should… Thank you for listening, showing up, and never giving up on that young, broken, hurting little boy who didn’t believe in himself. Sometimes all we need is to know our mom believes in us, and it gives us enough faith in ourselves.”
Who is Colleen Conrad?
Colleen Conrad is a nurse practitioner from Pennsylvania. She and Jon grew up together and remained friends for years before beginning a romantic relationship in 2014, five years after Jon’s divorce from Kate was finalized. After moving in with Jon following years of estrangement from Kate Gosselin, Collin found a maternal figure in Conrad.
Collin has previously referred to Conrad as his “real mom,” recognizing that she “chose” to take on that role in his life. During their nearly seven-year relationship, she also became a mother figure to Collin and Hannah. The couple separated in 2021, when Conrad was four months into her breast cancer diagnosis. Jon reportedly remained by her side throughout her treatment.
Colleen has also publicly defended Collin against Kate’s prior claims about his alleged behavior and mental health. Her new message comes as Collin’s memoir brings renewed attention to the longstanding family rift.
Image courtesy: Instagram
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