Dwyane Wade Gets Emotional Surprise From Daughter On Live TV

Dwyane Wade kicked off his guest-hosting stint on Today with Jenna and Friends on Monday, March 11, and he got a heartwarming surprise to mark the occasion.

His 6-year-old daughter, Kaavia, sent him a sweet video message, melting hearts everywhere. “Hi Daddy! I love you so much that you’re my favorite friend I ever met, and I also wanted to thank you and good luck,” she said, adding, “I love seeing you on TV, and I love you so much.”

Jenna Bush Hager, his co-host for the week, couldn’t help but gush over the message, calling it “sweet.” She pointed out how adorable it was that Kaavia called him her “favorite friend.” 

Dwayne laughed and explained their bond: “We friends, you know what I mean? And then, I be daddy sometimes, and she gets to see that side [and] he eyes get big when she sees that.”

At 43, the former Miami Heat star is not just a basketball legend but also a dedicated father. He shares two children, Zaire, 23, and Zaya, 17, with his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches, and a son, Xavier, 11, with Aja Metoyer. After marrying actress Gabrielle Union in 2014, they welcomed Kaavia in 2018. He is also the legal guardian of his nephew, Dahveon Morris, 21.

Dwayne has always been vocal about his parenting philosophy. In a 2021 interview with PEOPLE, he shared that his goal is to truly understand his kids. “I try to meet them where they’re at, and I don’t try to always bring them to where I want them to be,” he said. He believes in leading with love and wants to be the kind of father his kids can trust and talk to about anything. 

“I want to be somebody who my kids always understand, that can adapt, and that is willing to grow and is willing to learn. Also, someone that they can come to for advice about this, that or the third, and that will not be judgmental about it,” he stated.

Earlier this year, Dwayne celebrated his 43rd birthday in the best way — surrounded by his loved ones. His daughter Kaavia made sure he felt extra special with a personalized gift. She shared an Instagram post featuring a photo of her dad in a cozy robe that read “Kaav’s Dad” on the chest. The post also showed Dwayne opening a gold chain — seemingly from Target — and blowing out a candle placed on a single donut from a 12-pack.

“Usually you got my back, but today I got yours, Daddy 🫶🏾. p.s. I’ll send you my @target bill later for this gift” the caption read.