Professional footballers regularly have to move from city to city to pursue their career and, in many cases, they end up far from home. In Rocco Romeo’s case, signing with Vancouver FC meant that for the third time in his 23-year life, he would have to leave his hometown of Toronto. The difference this time was, instead of moving to an empty, lonely home with no one to talk to, Romeo got “adopted” by a Fort Langley family.
When Romeo first arrived at his new home, he received the warmest of welcomes from the Reimer family and it caught him by surprise. “Right away Peter (Reimer) just gave me a big hug, which, at that point, was kind of coming from a stranger or from a landlord,” says Romeo. “It kind of caught me off guard, but I knew right away that was his personality and how warm of a family they really are.”
Immediately, Romeo clicked with the Reimers, Peter and Carolyn, and their three children who are around Romeo’s age. The defender quickly joined in the family dinners and developed a deeper connection by sharing his beliefs. “It’s funny everyone [on the team] knows them just from either Bible study or meeting them at games.
“I’m like one of their sons and I call them my Vancouver parents…they’re holding me accountable on and off the field with school work as well.
“Definitely coming home [to them] gives me that back home experience with my own family,” shares Romeo.
On top of their hospitality, the Reimers are demonstrating their dedication to supporting Romeo’s career, as if he was one of their own children, by jumping into a new sport they didn’t follow before. “They even just came to the game in Calgary which is pretty cool,” recalls the VFC defender. Additionally, when Romeo needs it, Peter has not been afraid to step in as a father figure and give the 23-year-old life advice, “He just keeps telling me to stay grounded and stay humble but just be happy every day.”
Lucky enough to have been blessed with two loving families, Romeo will have the opportunity to celebrate Father’s Day with both his father in Ottawa and his ‘Vancouver’ father, Romeo Sr. who made the trip to Ottawa to watch Rocco play against Atlético Ottawa.
Even though this year’s Father’s Day was an emotional one for Romeo, it was far better than previous years where he spent the day alone. That’s why Romeo advises, “Every day is Father’s Day. You always have to show love and appreciation to the people who raise us and the people who are role models to us.”
There’s still time to give the gift of soccer with tickets to Vancouver FC’s Father’s Appreciation match on Tuesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. in Willoughby Park. Bring your dad for a dollar when you purchase a general admission ticket by using promo code DOLLARDAD at checkout. Tickets can be purchased through this link.
