The path to true love wasn’t easy for these two, but they seem to be made for each other. Not only are Flash & Gabs™ unendingly supportive of each other, they always seem to be having a blast together, and it’s clear that they genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Wondering how it all started? Let’s get into it!
The Not-That-Cute Meet Cute
Flash & Gabs™ first crossed paths in 2007 while hosting a Super Bowl party together. Dwyane was still married to his ex at the time (though they were separated), and Gabrielle (who was also in a relationship at the time) didn’t give Dwyane much notice. She points out that his “resume looked like crap: athlete, going through a divorce, nine years younger than me. None of that screamed ‘Let’s have a lasting relationship.'”
But after going through her own crushing breakup a few months later, she decided to think twice about the possibility of dating D-Wade. When she decided to give him a chance, she found him to be “sweet, funny, and honest about his shortcomings,” and their relationship took off. In 2009 their relationship became official, and by 2010 they were holding hands in public and making it clear that they were serious about the relationship.
In 2013 they hit a roadblock. Gabrielle had a taxing schedule due to her acting career taking off (she was filming multiple movies and a TV show), and they found it hard to make time for each other, so they broke up. But the breakup only lasted a few months, and during their time apart they realized how important the relationship was to them. Gabrielle said that even though she’d “always wanted an awesome career with back-to-back projects,” she realized that she wasn’t willing to sacrifice her relationship for it.
In December 2013, Dwyane proposed with the help of his sons, Zion and Zaire, and his nephew, Dahveon (whom he was also raising). While he got down on one knee, the boys held up signs that said “NICKIE WILL YOU MARRY US?”
Nothing Can Keep Them Down
There were more challenges ahead before they made it to the wedding day. D-Wade’s split with his ex had been contentious, to say the least, and she was working hard to negatively affect both his and Gabrielle’s image. Dwyane eventually sued his ex for defamation and ended up with full custody of their kids, but it was definitely not an easy situation to traverse.
On top of that, Dwyane fathered a son with another woman while he and Gabrielle were broken up. But Gabs had clearly decided that this was her mans. And was anything going to keep Gabrielle Union from HER MANS?
Thus, the wedding planning commenced! And Dwyane turned out to be a huge diva, or “groomzilla,” as Gabrielle called him. “Even though he’s in the NBA finals, he’s still got time to be groomzilla. As much as people like to think he’s worried about Tony Parker, he’s worried about centerpieces and what kind of wine we’re having”
If you don’t believe her, check out this New York Times article that is literally just all about D-Wade’s wedding planning skills and how much of a groomzilla he is.
My favorite D-Wade quote from this piece is, “Everyone wants to look good on their wedding day, and I’m not going around the back. My fiancée may have the bigger moment, but I want everyone to turn and see me when I’m walking down the aisle. I want my entrance.”
Dwyane’s intensive wedding planning paid off, and Flash & Gabs™ got married in August of 2014 at the Chateau Artisan, a fancy-ass moated castle in Miami.
Despite D-Wade’s excitement about planning the perfect wedding, it’s the relationship that he really focuses on. He said about his marriage, “I think the one thing is, we are imperfect, just like every couple in the world. We stick together through it all – through the great times, through the bad times. You can get behind love, and you can get behind someone who is not deemed as perfect, you know, ‘Okay, they make mistakes just like we make mistakes, and this is how they figure it out – they still love each other and they keep going the next day.’”
Family Life
Gabrielle and Dwyane have spent the past few years raising Zion, Zaire, and Dahveon, while trying to have a baby of their own. After a long season of struggling with fertility, they welcomed a baby girl into the world via surrogate. Kaavia James was born on November 7, 2018, and Gabrielle and Dwyane were immediately smitten.
A+ Internet Couple
What Flash & Gabs™ have on other celebrity couples is an All-Star (I did it! I made a basketball joke. I’m so sorry.) internet presence. They are always being cute Instagram and Twitter. Check out the proof below:
Flash & Gab’s™ story might not be simple or perfect, but they are perfect together, and it’s so fun to watch!
I think Gabrielle really summed up the vibe of their love when she said, “D is literally my best friend. We really, really enjoy spending time with each other more than anybody else. Well, with D, maybe I’m tied with LeBron! But I’m definitely his favorite female! If you have the chance to marry your best friend, I would highly recommend it.”
Links and Photos
A more in-depth article about Dwyane & Gabrielle’s path to being #couplegoals
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WILL IT LAST? 
YAS!!!
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