NBA star Dwyane Wade proposed to girlfriend Gabrielle Union, but he did not do it alone. After dating for four years, the 31-year-old enlisted the help of his two sons, Zion and Zaire, and his nephew, Dahveon, to help with the special moment. On the big day, Union was helping out around the house, when suddenly, Wade’s youngest son Zion held a sign with her name. Wade’s nephew had a sign saying “Will you,” and his oldest son Zaire’s sign read “marry us?” Wade told the Associated Press on Sunday.
Bewildered, Union turned to Wade and saw him on bended knee, then realized what was happening. An 8½-carat cushion cut diamond sealed the deal, and with that, Wade was an engaged man. “I planned it,” Wade said. “No concrete for my knee. I planned it very well.”
Wade told The Associated Press that no date for the wedding has been set, but expects it to occur in September. He also said he’s been working on finding the right ring since October, around the time that the Heat returned from training camp in the Bahamas.
He met with his jeweler several times in the last three months just to make sure everything was right.
“I kind of know my lady,” Wade said. “I know she’s simple, but at the same time, I just wanted the rock to kind of speak for itself and not do too much with the diamonds. I think it’s a simple ring, but it’s nice. It was nicely done … it’s timeless.”
On Sunday, Union wrote on Twitter that she was still “floatin” over the big news.
“I was truly caught off guard but happy nonetheless,” Union wrote. Some teammates were also surprised by the news, which became public Saturday night when the couple turned to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to make the announcements. Wade and Union showed off the ring at a team Christmas party a few hours after the proposal, and fellow Heat star LeBron James said he knew for a while that the big day was coming.
“It took a lot for him to do it,” said James, a four-time NBA MVP and a longtime friend of Wade’s. “But I think Gab is perfect for him. I think D-Wade is perfect for Gab. For them to be at one now and for their whole family to come together, man, I think it’s amazing. It’s another step for him. I thought it was pretty cool. I’m all for it. I’m happy for them.”
Wade said Union didn’t hesitate in saying yes, though his kids were concerned that she would turn them down. It will be the second marriage for Wade and Union, who have been dating for several years.
“Terrific news about Dwyane and Gabby,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It was a special night.”
