Kaavia Wade is marking a major milestone. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union shared the exciting news that their six-year-old daughter has graduated from kindergarten.
“From brave beginnings to big milestones, Kaav, you’ve learned, grown and blazed your way through kindergarten,” Gabrielle-who tied the knot with the Miami Heat star in 2014-captioned a joint Instagram post on June 14, alongside photos of their little girl sporting a blue cap and gown. “Next up: 1st grade-and a whole new world of discoveries!”
“The journey is just beginning,” she continued, “and we’re seated right beside for the ride.” For her part, Gabrielle-who is also stepmom to Dwyane’s kids Zaire, 23, Zaya, 18, and Xavier, 11, in addition to his nephew Dahveon, 21-has recently reflected on her decision to welcome Kaavia via surrogate back in 2018. “Every single person’s surrogacy journey is different,” the Bring It On actress told Marie Claire last month. “It’s like any time there’s any kind of variance in the experience, it’s, ‘See, I told you. You shouldn’t explore this option to expand your family.’ But for me, it felt like failure. My body failed. It just felt like such a f–king public humiliation.”
“Surrogacy felt like a cuckold,” she continued. “Watching somebody do something I can’t do. To be there for somebody else succeeding where I failed-it is a mind f–k for people who have had my journey and who feel similarly.” And while Gabrielle has confidently blocked out the criticism she’s faced for having a surrogate, she still has a difficult time accepting her decision.
“I’ll never have peace with it, ever,” she admitted. “And that’s not a ‘What-anybody-has-to-say’ thing. That’s just-my yearning has never dissipated. I was so ready for my surprise, but all the prayers that didn’t get answered in the way that I thought made me more conscientious that my child is here.”
But even while grappling with her own inner thoughts, the 52-year-old continues to give those who supported her during that period their flowers-including her caregiver.