Gabrielle Union Engaged: Dwyane Wade Shares Diamond Ring Photos
Actress Gabrielle Union and NBA star Dwyane Wade announced their engagement on Saturday, via social networking site Instagram.
The couple, who began dating in 2009, reportedly got engaged shortly before the Miami Heat team Christmas party. Wade, 31, sought the help of his two sons and nephew – all of whom he is raising – to ask for Union's hand in marriage.
The Heat Guard's youngest son Zion held a sign with the actress' name while his nephew Dahveon Morris' sign read "Will you." And Wade's oldest son Zaire's sign read "marry us?"
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Wade reportedly then dropped to a bended knee and presented his longtime girlfriend, 41, with a stunning 8.5 carat diamond ring.
"She said YES!!!" Wade wrote via Instagram in a photo caption of Union's large rock.
Wade, who like Union has been married once before, had been planning the romantic proposal for months. He began searching for the perfect ring in October, around the time that the Heat returned from training camp in the Bahamas.
"I kind of know my lady. 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," Wade told the Associated Press. "I think it's a simple ring, but it's nice. It was nicely done ... it's timeless."
The couple is yet to set a wedding date however Wade revealed that he expects their big day to occur in September 2014.
Jason Arasheben, CEO of Jason of Beverly Hills, confirmed that the NBA star helped design Union's diamond sparkler. It boasts a cushion cut stone and is valued at nearly $1 million.
"Dwyane Wade was 100% involved in the process," Arasheben told E! News. "I made three personal visits to Miami to present different options until they found the perfect one. Wade picked out the stone and they made the ring custom."
Union, who stars in BET's "Being Mary Jane," was previously married to former NFL star Chris Howard. Wade shares two sons with his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches.
