He was a professional NBA player, she was a fictional cheerleader, what more can I say? Former Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade and Bring It On star Gabrielle Union have one of the most likable marriages in Hollywood, but their path down the altar—and beyond—hasn’t been totally smooth. Through ups and downs, they’ve stuck it out, and are proof that communication works. Here’s a complete timeline of the power couple’s relationship:
2007
February 4: The pair meet at a Super Bowl party. At the time, Wade was playing through injury for the Heat and married to his high school sweetheart, Siohvaughn Funches, though they would split later that year. The pair share two kids, Zaire and Zaya. Union, meanwhile, is newly divorced from NFL player Chris Howard.
Years later, Union would recall her first impressions of Wade to Glamour, revealing, “When I met Dwyane, his ‘résumé’ looked like crap: athlete, going through a divorce, nine years younger than me. None of that screamed, ‘Let’s have a lasting relationship.’ Then, after I had a heart-crushing breakup with yet another immature jerk, I thought, it can’t be any worse if I date a fetus. Let’s just see what happens. Turned out he’d been on his own since he was 15. He had wisdom that comes with facing an insane amount of adversity. He’s sweet, funny, honest about his shortcomings. When I put my preconceived notions to the side, I found someone cool.”
2009
July: The pair are spotted together for the first time when Wade brings Union as his guest to a charity event, but there’s nothing official. Still, rumors swirl.
2010
July: At the same event a year later, the pair pose together on the red carpet, and everyone knows it’s on.
