There was no fairy-tale wedding last weekend for Nats slugger Bryce Harper and Ohio State soccer player Kayla Varner — because there was no wedding at all, multiple sources confirmed.
The lead-up to the wedding was a public one, with the prospective bride and groom — both 22 and Las Vegas-area natives — sharing preparations and proclamations of love over social media. But signs of a rift were evident in the last few weeks. Varner last posted a photo of the couple together on November 30, a day after she chronicled her bridal shower on Instagram.
As with many millennial couples, social media played a large role in the relationship between Harper and Varner. Now, those online connections seem to be severed. Neither follows the other on Twitter, and they have changed their online biographies to remove references to one another. Varner’s used to read, “student, ohio state soccer, family, my love @BHarper3407.” His was “family. My beautiful fiancee @Kayvarner! DC. 220. Nothing More Nothing Less.”
She changed her Instagram bio to “the best is yet to come,” then once more to a reference to the Book of Mormon; he removed all descriptions.
It appeared, too, that they spent the holidays apart, with each posting about their respective families. And despite the turmoil of a canceled wedding, Harper and Varner both seemed upbeat in recent posts. Harper posted a photo of himself on New Year’s Eve wearing a custom-made jacket with lining bearing the Nationals logo and his jersey number, 34.
“Pups first grooming,” read the caption to a Thursday Instagram picture of a smiling Varner holding her dog.
Here’s a retrospective of the social-media-loving couple’s happier times together:
Varner and co. are all smiles at Nats stadium.
The happy couple post in front of the White House.
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Varner heads “off to dc to see my boo.”
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The soccer player playing dress up in a Nats uniform
Harper surprises his girlfriend with roses and a new outfit.
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The couple at the Nats Dream Gala in 2013.
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A throwback picture of the pair back in high school.
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Harper pops the question.
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“A typical day with my fiance” posted Varner.
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Their engagement photo shoot.
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Varner’s wears all white for her bridal shower just one month ago.
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The last picture on social media of Kayla with Bryce taken after a church event.
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