Watch: Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union's Daughter Kaavia Graduates KindergartenGabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade's relationship wasn't an immediate slam dunk for his family. The couple-who started dating in 2009 after their respective first marriages ended-opened up about the skepticism that Dwyane's family, particularly his older sister Tragil, had about their romance due to Gabrielle being nine years older than him. "When I first met his family, the older sisters, who are closer in my age, immediately good," the Bring It On actress revealed in a joint appearance with Dwyane on the Aug. 20 episode of Michelle Obama's IMO podcast. "We're good in the hood. But with Tragil, because she has been the protector...

She has been the watchdog. She has been the gatekeeper to keep him sane and to keep him doing everything he needs to do without interference from anybody." As Gabrielle recalled, until they got married in 2014, Dwyane's sister and mother Jolinda had to be convinced that they were the real deal.readGabrielle Union Reveals How She Spent Her First Major Paycheck"Before I got to the wife stage, like when we were just the very beginning," she shared, "I think Tragil and his mom were like, 'What do you want? Who are you, you older lady? What do you want?'" The 52-year-old-who is mother to daughter Kaavia James, 6, with Dwyane, as well as Zaire 23, and Zaya, 18, the children from his first marriage to Siohvaughn Funches who he has sole custody of, his son Zavier, 11, with Aja Metoyer, and his nephew Dahveon Morris, 21, who he was awarded full custody of in 2011-was quick to assuage their concerns. As she remembered it, "I was like, 'Actually, we both just got divorced, so we're kind of in the same space. I didn't have a kid at 20, I'm still childless, and I'm not racing to do that, so I'm straight. I got my own bank account, so I'm good. I just like him, we'll see where it goes.'"Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueIn fact, those several years of uneasiness ultimately allowed them to build an even stronger bond than they otherwise might've had. "It took some years, really, to earn their trust and also for them to earn my trust so we could be comfortable equally," Gabrielle explained. "Now, it's easy, because we are all on the same side."Ultimately, Gabrielle sees a lesson in the slow burn that has been her relationship with her husband's family. "But you want that grace, you give that grace and you eventually receive that grace," she said. "But it's a learning curve, for sure." Keep reading for more couples who opened up about their age gap relationships...

Instagram/Gabrielle UnionUltimately, Gabrielle sees a lesson in the slow burn that has been her relationship with her husband's family. "But you want that grace, you give that grace and you eventually receive that grace," she said. "But it's a learning curve, for sure." Keep reading for more couples who opened up about their age gap relationships...

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity FairSarah Paulson & Holland TaylorThe practice of ignoring what people say about their 32-year age gap is nothing new for the actresses."If someone wants to spend any time thinking I'm strange for loving the most spectacular person on the planet, then that's their problem," Sarah told Modern Luxury in 2018 while discussing her relationship with Holland. "I'm doing just fine." Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyHeidi Klum & Tom KaulitzAs for the former Project Runway host, she simply says auf wiedersehen to any negative comments about her 16-year age gap with the Tokio Hotel guitarist."My boyfriend is many years younger than me, and lots of people are questioning that and asking about it," she shared with InStyle in 2018. "That's really the only time when age seems to be shoved in my face and I have to give an answer for it. I don't really think about it that much otherwise."And Heidi-who married Tom the following year-made it clear she's going to continue living life on her terms."You have to just live a happy life without worrying too much about what people think," the supermodel continued, "because worrying is only going to give you more wrinkles." Unique Nicole/Getty ImagesPriyanka Chopra & Nick JonasMeanwhile, the Quantico star has called out a double standard.

While she noted people have a lot to say about her being 10 years old than the Jonas Brother singer, she suggested this wouldn't be the case if it were the other way around."People gave us a lot of s--t about that and still do," Priyanka told InStyle. "I find it really amazing when you flip it and the guy is older, no one cares and actually people like it."Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty ImagesSam Taylor-Johnson & Aaron Taylor-JohnsonAnd if you'd ask the Fifty Shades of Grey director, she'd say her 23-year age difference with the Kraven the Hunter actor just doesn't come up in their day-to-day."No, it never does," she said in a 2024 interview with The Guardian. "I mean, it'