With the 2022 World Series officially here, Phillies fans are experiencing feelings of joy, pride and even shock after making the playoffs for the first time since 2011. More than a decade later, the group will have a final showdown against the Houston Astros.
But as excited as the city of Philadelphia is at the potential World Series win the team could achieve, fans are more excited at the prospect of MVP Bryce Harper finally getting the national title he so deserves. And no one could be more supportive or thrilled for him than his wife Kayla Varner.
Bryce, who celebrated his 30th birthday only a few weeks ago, and Kayla, 29, have been together all through his professional baseball journey. But how did the Nevada natives meet? To answer that, we have to go back to high school.
The two first met when they were high school sweethearts back in Nevada. But it’s the traditional story. When Bryce was a sophomore, he dropped out of school. The athlete later earned his GED at 17 in order to be eligible for the MLB draft in 2010.
Shortly after, he went on to play for the College of Southern Nevada before he was drafted as the first pick in 2010 to the Washington Nationals at only 19 years old. According to People, Kayla went on to attend Brigham Young University and Ohio State University where she played soccer.
The duo did a long-distance relationship before Bryce proposed to Kayla in 2014. Although they originally planned to wed in January 2015, the wedding was called off. Luckily, the two reunited and walked down the aisle in December 2016.
Bryce Harper hugs his wife Kayla Harper after defeating the Atlanta Braves in game four of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park.
According to the Sun, they were married in an intimate ceremony in San Diego in a Church of Latter-day Saints-approved temple, since both are practicing Mormons.
In an interview with The Knot a year after their wedding, Kayla said: “He’s selfless, the most selfless guy ever … I think that’s what always attracted me to him. And he’s goofy and funny — he loves to play pranks on me, and as much as I get annoyed by it, I secretly love it — he’s just the best. I love him.”
The two have also made it clear that religion is important and celebrated in their marriage. “Religion was obviously the most important part of our marriage,” she added to the outlet. “The temple marriage is very sacred. Our religion is very private, and only certain people can attend the ceremony. So it was really nice to just enjoy that with our immediate family.”
Two years later, they announced the birth of their first child, a son named Krew, in August 2019. The same year, Bryce was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he signed a historic 13-year $330 million contract. In November 2020, the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Brooklyn.
They are also parents of a Maltese-Yorkshire terrier named Wrigley. Although the two are very public with their relationship, they do their best to minimize exposure when it comes to their kids.
After Bryce hit the winning home run in game five against the Atlanta Braves earlier this week on October 23, sending the Phillies to the World Series, fans were obsessed with the adorable moment Bryce shared with his children. Krew, 3, and Brooklyn, 2, ran up to him in matching jackets with “Daddy” on the back to celebrate his win. “I love you guys,” he was seen saying to them.
And of course, Kayla was right by his side to celebrate his achievement. The longtime partners embraced on the field for several minutes as the team and fans rejoiced clinching the National League Championship title.
Back when the couple married, Bryce told The Knot, “She’s known me for so long that she knows when I’m upset or going through something hard. But we make it fun.” Lucky, for them nothing seems more fun than experiencing a World Series together for the first time.
Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World, NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day. Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.