Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Celebrate Major Personal Milestone With NFL Veteran’s Investment for the Win

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have come a long way together. After walking away from their first marriages with heartbreak, fate stepped in and rewrote their story. They found love, built a life, and now they’re toasting another year in their already decorated decade as a couple. So, what’s their secret to a long, happy marriage? Gabrielle sums it up perfectly: “A lot of times it’s like having a very long sleepover with your best friend.” And this year, that “sleepover” came with a delicious twist instead of their usual beachside celebrations. The couple chose 167th Street in Miami to mark their anniversary.

Smith & Webster Restaurant and Bar came to life when NFL legend Kayvon Webster teamed up with food blogger Starex Smith, aka The Hungry Black Man, to transform Webster’s old food truck, Vibe 305, into something bigger and better. Smith suggested upgrading not just the food, but also the service and overall ambiance, and Webster challenged him to make it happen. Together, they elevated the entire dining experience, creating a vibrant, welcoming spot rooted in Southern Black and Caribbean flavors. And clearly, they’ve succeeded, as D-Wade and Gab chose their restaurant to celebrate their personal milestone.

To give fans an exclusive look, Smith & Webster Restaurant & Bar shared a video straight from their kitchens, capturing the couple enjoying their 11th wedding anniversary in Miami. Wade praised the spot, saying it “felt like an embrace, felt like a hug, felt like home.” On their special day, they savored “cornbread & collards” in the soulful dining space, all while proudly supporting a Black-owned business, something they’ve always championed.

And that wasn’t all. D-Wade shared an Instagram story, a radiant photo of him and Gab in white, smiling brightly, captioned, “11 yrs.🖤 8-30-14💍8-30-25.” Gab re-shared it, adding a heartfelt “happy anniversary.”

Interestingly, Gabrielle Union and

Dwyane Wade’s love story actually circles back to Miami. On TODAY with Jenna & Friends, the couple recalled reconnecting at a 2007 Super Bowl party in Miami Gardens, a suburb of the city, and that’s when sparks finally flew. Now, all these years later, they’re back in the very city that first brought them together. But what about their proposal? That’s where it gets really fascinating. Their romance didn’t ignite until 2009; they made it official in 2010, and four years later, they celebrated with a stunning wedding. Yet, what most people don’t know is the story behind Wade’s proposal; funny, strategic, and a little nerve-racking all at once.

Because of his multiple knee surgeries, getting down on one knee wasn’t easy for Wade. So, he came prepared, slipping a purple yoga block under his knee to make it work. Later, he joked,

“I planned on getting one knee on the concrete… that’s gonna hurt. I may be out next game.” But nerves still kicked in. He was shaking, struggling to get the words out, and decided he needed backup, so he enlisted his kids to be part of the big moment. With their help, he finally popped the question, and Gabrielle, of course, said yes. A little messy, a little funny, and completely heartfelt. But here’s the twist—Wade wasn’t just nervous; he was also a little hesitant about marriage itself!

Gabrielle Union vs. the Wade family

Turns out, winning over

Dwyane Wade’s family wasn’t as smooth as we all thought. The actress, now 52, revealed on the IMO Podcast, “I think before I got to the wife stage, when we were [at] the very beginning, I think, [Tragil] and his mom were like, ‘What do you want? Who are you, you older lady?” Their nine-year age gap raised a few eyebrows — especially with Wade’s mom, Jolinda, and his older sister, Tragil. While Wade’s siblings, who were closer to Gabrielle’s age, instantly clicked with her, things were different when it came to Tragil, who had always been fiercely protective of her younger brother.

Talking about her early interactions, Gabrielle explained that Tragil had long been Wade’s “watchdog,” making sure nobody interfered with his goals and well-being.

“And I’m like, ‘But I’m not just anybody, I’m [going to be] his wife,'” Gabrielle said. It wasn’t instant chemistry, and Gabrielle admitted it took “some years” before everyone got comfortable with her presence in Wade’s life. Over time, though, things shifted, and the tension slowly turned into mutual understanding.

The turning point came when Tragil herself got married to a man who had been previously married and already had kids. That experience, Gabrielle revealed, helped Tragil better understand her and Wade’s relationship dynamic. Gabrielle recalled jokingly telling her sister-in-law,

“And I was like: ‘Not so easy, is it?’” That moment brought them closer, with Gabrielle stepping in to offer advice and support, eventually strengthening their bond.

Now, things are completely different. Gabrielle says she, Wade’s mom, and

Tragil are all “on the same side,” even laughing together over the same little complaints about Wade. Today, the couple shares daughter Kaavia, 6, while Wade is also dad to Zaire, 23, and Zaya, 18, with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches. He also has full custody of his son, Zavier, 11, with Aja Metoyer, and his nephew, Dahveon Morris, 21 — making theirs a blended, loving, and beautifully chaotic family.