MIAMI —
The proposal came as a group.
When Miami Heat[1] guard Dwyane Wade[2] asked girlfriend Gabrielle Union for her hand in marriage, he had some extra help. His two sons and nephew were part of the moment, one that caught Union by surprise, Saturday night at Wade's home.
"It was very unexpected, just a regular Saturday," Wade said. "My kids were involved in it. We asked her to marry all of us, not just me. We're a package deal. It was cool."
Wade told his oldest son Zaire and nephew Dahveon Morris of his plan days in advance. He kept it from his youngest son Zion because he wanted it to remain a secret.
"The older two boys, they can keep a secret," Wade said. "Zion probably found out 25 minutes before. We had to keep it a secret from him. We didn't want him to spill the beans. They were all happy and excited to be involved."
This will be the second marriage for Wade and Union. He is the latest Heat player to hear wedding bells. Chris Bosh[3] was married in the summer of 2011 while James made it official with his longtime girlfriend last September.
Wade and Union have dated for several years. They announced their engagement via Twitter and Instagram[4] , with Wade posting a photo of Union's solitaire diamond ring.
"I think it's a simple ring but it's nice," Wade said. "It was nicely done. I wanted something that years from now I don't have to spend no more money to upgrade it. I wanted something that would stand the time, timeless."
Wade said Union readily accepted the proposal, saying "she was ready. She had the `yes' in her back pocket." The moment capped a night of festivities for the Heat. The announcement came after the team hosted its annual Christmas Party.
Wade presented the entire team with green jackets that resembled those given to the winner of the Master's golf tournament.
"I always try to do something different," Wade said. "I started thinking about what have previous champions done. I remember the [Detroit] Pistons[5] won and Rasheed [Wallace] gave everybody the boxing belts and how cool it was."
The jackets were the ideal gift, especially with Wade having a fashion background. Earlier this year, he hosted a "Night on the RunWade" to raise money for charity. Wade requested the team take a group photo, posting it on his social media accounts. He said he plans to frame it to help remember the 2012 NBA[6] title.
"I got some great people around me that deserve things," Wade said. "You make sure the ones around you that deserve things, you make sure that they get them."
The present came just days after the Heat held a "Secret Santa" event among the team. Bosh called the jacket one of the best gifts he's received.
"There's something about a green jacket," Bosh said. "It's too much to wear in public but when you wear it you can tell that guy is special. It's just great to be involved with the team and Dwyane doing great things for us. It's the best group of guys I've been with. It's just a joy coming to work everyday."
Added coach Erik Spoelstra[7] , "We had a nice weekend, a great team, family party (Saturday) night. Obviously, terrific news about Dwyane and Gabby. It was a special night."
Spoelstra held a strenuous practice Sunday just to shift focus back to basketball. The Heat play the Atlanta Hawks[8] Monday at AmericanAirlines before starting a four-game, West Coast trip that begins Christmas Day against the Los Angeles Lakers[9] .
"I think they understood last night because we had the day off. It was a special night. Toward the end of the night, I think guys had the idea that we were going to get after it (Sunday)."
References
- ^ Miami Heat (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Dwyane Wade (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Chris Bosh (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Instagram (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Detroit Pistons (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ National Basketball Association (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Erik Spoelstra (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Atlanta Hawks (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Los Angeles Lakers (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ srichardson@tribune.com (www.sun-sentinel.com)
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