Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner's Epic Love Story: A Timeline of Philadelphia Phillies' Star's Romantic Journey
Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner's relationship timeline showcases their journey from 2010 to October 2023, including their 2016 wedding and significant milestones throughout the years
Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner have been in a strong and enduring relationship since their high school days.
Harper, who graduated early, pursued his baseball career by attending the College of Southern Nevada. He marked his debut in professional baseball with the Washington Nationals in 2012. Varner, on the other hand, began her journey as a soccer player at Brigham Young University before eventually transferring to The Ohio State University.
After navigating a long-distance relationship, Harper proposed to Varner in 2014. Although they were originally scheduled to marry in January 2015, the wedding plans were canceled.
Less than a year later, the couple reconciled and Varner announced in July 2016 that they were engaged once again. In December of that year, Harper and Varner exchanged their wedding vows.
"He's a talented baseball player, but off the field, he treats everyone with respect and authenticity," Varner expressed to The Knot following their wedding. "He's incredibly selfless, perhaps the most selfless person I've ever known. That's what drew me to him. And he's also silly and funny—he enjoys playing pranks on me. Even though it sometimes annoys me, I secretly adore it. He's simply the best. I love him."
Harper chimed in, "I felt a mixture of excitement and overwhelming emotions—just going through the entire process, getting everything prepared, and finally seeing my bride and wife. It's something you dream about."
More than two years later, the pair announced Varner was pregnant. She gave birth to son Krew in August 2019, and daughter Brooklyn was born in November 2020.
Scroll through to see their timeline:
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
Philadelphia Phillies Star Bryce Harper and Wife Kayla Varner’s Relationship Timeline
Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner have been together since high school — and they're still going strong.
Harper graduated ahead of schedule from their Nevada high school in order to pursue his baseball career at the College of Southern Nevada. He made his debut as a professional player with the Washington Nationals in 2012. On the other hand, Varner, who is a soccer player, initially attended Brigham Young University before transferring to The Ohio State University.
While maintaining a long-distance relationship, Harper proposed to Varner in 2014. Although they planned to marry in January 2015, they ultimately called off the wedding.
Less than a year later, the couple reconciled, and Varner confirmed in July 2016 that they were engaged once again. They exchanged their vows in December of the same year.
In an interview with The Knot after their wedding, Varner described Harper as a humble and genuine person, despite being a prominent baseball player. She admired his selflessness, which had always drawn her to him. Harper's playful and humorous nature, including his penchant for playing pranks on her, also endeared him to Varner, even though she pretended to be annoyed by it. In her own words, he was simply the best, and she loved him deeply.
Harper expressed his immense excitement and overwhelming emotions throughout the entire process of preparing for his wedding and finally witnessing the union with his beloved wife. Such dreams had always lingered in his thoughts.
After a span of over two years, the couple joyfully revealed Varner's pregnancy. In August 2019, she gave birth to their son, Krew, followed by the arrival of their daughter, Brooklyn, in November 2020.
Scroll through to see their timeline:
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
Philadelphia Phillies Star Bryce Harper and Wife Kayla Varner’s Relationship Timeline
Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner have been in a strong and lasting relationship since their high school days.
After graduating early from their Nevada high school, Harper pursued his baseball career by enrolling at the College of Southern Nevada. He then made his professional debut with the Washington Nationals in 2012. Meanwhile, Varner, who is a soccer player, initially attended Brigham Young University before transferring to The Ohio State University.
Harper proposed to Varner in 2014 while they were in a long-distance relationship. Although they initially planned to marry in January 2015, they ultimately decided to cancel the wedding. However, less than a year later, the couple reconciled and Varner announced in July 2016 that they were engaged again. In December of that year, they exchanged vows and officially tied the knot.
"He is a renowned professional baseball player, yet his demeanor off the field is a testament to his humility and genuine nature," Varner shared with The Knot following their wedding. "His acts of selflessness are unparalleled, making him the most selfless person I've ever known. It's his compassion and sense of humor that have always captivated me. He loves playing pranks on me, and despite my occasional annoyance, deep down I adore it. He truly is the best, and I love him."
With a sense of excitement and overwhelmed by emotions, Harper reflected on the entire process of their wedding and finally seeing his beloved bride become his wife. "Moments like these are what dreams are made of," he added.
More than two years later, the pair announced Varner was pregnant. She gave birth to son Krew in August 2019, and daughter Brooklyn was born in November 2020.
Scroll through to see their timeline:
Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock
2010
The couple started dating in high school and according to reports, their relationship began in 2010.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2013
The duo kept the romance alive while Harper lived in Washington, D.C. and Varner attended OSU in Columbus, Ohio.
Credit: Brian To/Shutterstock
2014
He got down on one knee in 2014.
Credit: Eric Jamison/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
2015
After their wedding was planned for the first weekend in January 2015, news broke that the nuptials were off and they had called it quits.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2015
The twosome were back together before the end of the year, with Varner celebrating Harper’s MVP win in November 2015.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2016 wedding
Harper and Varner, who are Mormon, wed at a Church of Latter-day Saints-approved temple in San Diego.
"Religion played a pivotal role in our marriage," she told The Knot. "The temple marriage holds immense sanctity. Our faith is highly personal, and only select individuals can partake in the ceremony. Hence, it was truly special to savor this moment solely with our closest family."
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2017
Varner was a stable at Nationals home games.
Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP/Shutterstock
2019
News broke that Harper was going to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2019
Krew was born in August 2019.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2020
“Despite not being able to attend, it was a joyous occasion for us as baseball made its return in 2020! ️,” Varner expressed, accompanying a photo alongside Krew taken in July of that year. Unfortunately, the MLB season had been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2020
Brooklyn was born in November 2020.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2021
“My three ️,” Varner captioned a cute pic of Harper with their kids in July 2021.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
2022
The spouses celebrated Valentine’s Day in February 2022.
Credit: Courtesy of Kayla Harper/Instagram
October 2023
"Cheers to my incredible best friend on their special day! Your unwavering support and contagious happiness uplift us in our darkest times. You are not only the epitome of a perfect father and husband, but also a cherished blessing in our lives. We adore you and feel fortunate to honor you today!" Varner ecstatically exclaimed on Instagram as Harper reached the milestone of turning 31.
In celebration of his birthday, Harper amplified the excitement by smashing a remarkable home run in the opening game of the 2023 NLCS playoffs against the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Our beloved Phillies emerged victorious with a 5-3 triumph.)
