Work Text:
Troy Barrett said he always felt unlikable. You could never tell from the outside: rich, a successful athlete, with old-Hollywood good looks. But Mr. Barrett suffered from low self-esteem and a persistent belief he was not worthy of a relationship. "I had relationships with guys, including one actor. But I never felt lovable or loved."
He arrived at the Ottawa Centaurs mid-season and said that initial response to him from teammates was cold. Mr. Barrett had left Toronto extremely embittered, having fallen out with a teammate over rape allegations made against the teammate. "I remember my first day at practice, the teammates didn't even look at me," Mr. Barrett said. "They were all focused on this puppy, the team mascot named Chiron."
But the puppy's handler was what caught Mr. Barrett's attention. Harris Drover is the Ottawa Centaurs' social media manager, and Mr. Barrett said he immediately felt safe with Mr. Drover. "You know how some people you get a vibe that they're a good person? I just had a vibe about Harris."
For his part, Mr. Drover had not heard good things about Mr. Barrett and assumed the worst as well. But Mr. Drover said it was his job to capture the team in sweet, wholesome moments for the team's social media. He says that a turning point was at a team barbecue. He found Mr. Barrett alone as usual, and says that after that he noticed Mr. Drover stopped by his office sometimes just to play with the team mascot dog Chiron.
The turning point was a Christmas photoshoot. Mr. Drover wanted Ilya Rozanov to take pictures dressed up in Santa gear. Mr. Rozanov then manipulated Mr. Barrett into joining the pictures, then tactfully left so Mr. Barrett and Mr. Drover could spend more time together. Mr. Drover was touched when Mr. Barrett bought him a Big Gay Apple pin both honor of the apple farm Mr. Drover's family owned and Mr. Harris being an out-and-proud man, and an eggnog latte.
When asked for comment, Mr. Rozanov responded in an email, "I don't generally speak to New York Times vows reporters after they unnecessarily mentioned Rose Landry in my vows article. But I am very happy for Troy and Harris and will be attending their wedding."
From then on, their relationship progressed steadily. It wasn't easy. Mr. Barrett still had trust issues from previous relationships, but Mr. Drover's sunny disposition helped work through those problems. Chiron failed therapy dog training, and Mr. Drover adopted him instead. Mr. Barrett came out officially in the team's Pride Night. They bought a home in the outskirts of Ottawa and say that they're a good example of opposites attracting. Mr. Barrett is quiet and introverted, Mr. Drover is outgoing and bubbly. Mr. Barrett says he's made friends with his new team.
For their wedding they got married at Mr. Drover's family's apple orchard. Almost all the Ottawa Centaurs teammates were in attendance, as was Mr. Barrett's mother and Mr. Drover's family. Instead of hiring an official photographer, Mr. Drover and Mr. Barrett encouraged guests to take photos throughout the ceremony and reception and to text them to Mr. Drover so he can curate them for an album. "This is when my social media training comes in handy," he said.
As for Mr. Barrett, he said that the wedding felt like healing for him. "Turns out what I needed in my life was sunshine and puppies."