Miami Heat player pops the question

Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat proposed to actress Gabrielle Union on Dec. 21. The couple has been together for a long time, so when they posted their engagement on social media, word and excitement spread quickly. They posted a photo of the ring on Twitter and Instagram.

In love again

This will be the second marriage for both Union, 41, and Wade, 32. Wade has two sons and is raising a nephew. They did not make formal statements when the engagement was announced on Saturday, but Wade did talk about the engagement at practice on Sunday.

"It was intimate," Wade told ESPN. "I did it at my house. It was very unexpected, just a regular Saturday. My kids were involved, we asked her to marry all of us. Not just me, it's a package deal. It was cool."

Proposal and party

Wade proposed to Union before they attended the Miami Heat Christmas party over the weekend. Though friends and family posted well wishes and excited comments on social media, the proposal didn't come as a surprise. The couple's Christmas card return address listed them as the Wade-Union family prior to the engagement. They also signed the cards with the joint family designation.

She said 'yes'

Union accepted the proposal and received an 8.5-carat solitaire custom engagement ring. The cushion cut gem is certainly the star of the ring, as it dwarfs the thin band. According to The Washington Post, Wade had been working with his jeweler to make sure the ring was perfect.

"I kind of know my lady," Wade told the Post. "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. I think it's a simple ring, but it's nice. It was nicely done ... it's timeless."

The solitaire ring certainly is timeless. With a simple band and one diamond, the style of ring has been the popular choice for a long time. If you're thinking about proposing to your lady, consider a diamond ring from the Brian Gain team. You can create a custom engagement ring to mimic the style of Union's cushion cut, or pick one of the many pre-designed pieces available online. Check out the Grace solitaire for inspiration. Choose the setting then select a cushion cut gem from their online inventory. The Brian Team also sells large gems that exceed 2 carats. Get the Wade-Union look with a big diamond.