Photo:Mike Lawrie/Getty
Mike Lawrie/Getty
Zaya Wadeis proud to callDwyane Wadeher dad.
Honoring the 41-year-old retired Miami Heat star after hisinduction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fameon Saturday, the 16-year-old took to Instagram to share some special words for him.
“My dad is a Hall of Famer 🖤 I’ve never been more proud in my life to know someone as kind, loving, and accepting as he is,” she wrote.
“He is one of my best friends. I love you dad 🫶🏾.”
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Gabrielle Union Wade/Instagram
The whole family joined Dwyane on the special occasion, withGabrielle Unionsmiling alongside her husband and kids — Kaavia James, 4, Zaya, 16, Zaire, 21, and Dwyane’s nephew Dahveon Morris, 21 — with everyone cheering him on during a heartfelt enshrinement speech.
“Thank you all for being there for me and for loving me in the most perfect way possible. I appreciate you guys and I love y’all,” Dwyane said of his loved ones in attendance before specifically recognizing his wife.
“And my wife Gab, would you please stand. Thank you for making our house a home,” he said.
“Thank you for making sure our kids feel seen, heard and protected when I’m not around. Thank you for learning every ref’s name in the NBA and for screaming at them so I didn’t have to — saved a lot of fine money,” the athlete joked.
“I know I’m traveling for work this year during our anniversary, so I want to say, thank you for being on this journey for me — with me, these past 15 years. Thank you for learning to love my imperfections, just as much as we enjoyed and love the moments of perfection. I love you.”
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Earlier this year, Dwyane gave anemotional speechat theNAACPImage Awards as the couple accepted the President’s Award. They used the opportunity to speak about championing the fight forLGBTQrights, giving the speech just one day after Zaya’slegal name change and gender assignment.
“Zaya, as your father, all I’ve wanted to do is get it right. I’ve sat back and watched how gracefully you’ve taken on the public scrutiny,” he said. “And even though it’s not easy, I watched you walk out of that house every morning as yourself. I admire how you’ve handled ignorance in our world. I admire it that you face every day. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement.”
Dwyane continued: “As your father, my job isn’t to create a version of myself or direct your future. My role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes, your dreams.”
source: people.com
