An open letter: Welcome back to the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade

The Miami Heat have traded for Dwyane Wade. Here is an open letter, welcoming him back.

Dear Dwyane Wade,

The last time I wrote you, it was July 8, 2016. You had just decided to leave the Miami Heat to join the Chicago Bulls. And while I wished you nothing but the best, I was heartbroken:

"“Thank you for all that you have done for the Heat, and more than that, for basketball as a whole. And here is to continuing success with the Bulls, and whatever comes next. You may have slightly broken my heart, but that is the thing about true love: I will still be on your side anyways.”"

At the very least though, I took comfort in the fact that you were in my hometown.

Still, deep down, I knew your time in Chicago would be short-lived. That organization couldn’t offer you what you wanted, what you needed, what you deserved. So, I made it out to the United Center as often as I could, to watch you in all your glory. Aware that it was only a matter of time until you searched for greener pastures.

Which I was certain would be by way of rejoining LeBron James.

But yet again, I wasn’t angry. Because I knew you were happy. In fact, I was sort of looking forward to seeing you and James light up the court together, like you used to do in South Florida. I even traveled to Milwaukee to see you both take on the Bucks (wearing Cleveland Cavaliers gear for you, no less).

Then, you agreed to come off the bench. Arthur memes made their way across Instagram. Rumors of James heading to Los Angeles wouldn’t die down. And suddenly, I was sad for you. And sad for me. Because instead of going Vintage Wade under head coach Erik Spoelstra, instead of taking over the Eastern Conference alongside Goran Dragic, instead of helping to develop young guys like Justise Winslow, you were wasting away in The Land of chaos.

Were, being the key word.

It’s currently 2 PM ET, on Thursday, February 8, 2018. And about an hour ago, it was announced that you are heading home to Miami. I have cried tears of joy. I have called my mom to tell her the good news. I have posted ten tweets, one Facebook update and even a Snap about your return.

I feel like I’m dreaming.

Sure, I always hoped you would return before you officially hung up your jersey. If even just on a one-day contract. But this I didn’t see coming.

I’m sorry you ever had to leave. That you and president Pat Riley couldn’t find a happy medium. That you wasted a year with the Bulls. That you had to make yourself smaller in Cleveland. However, they say all’s well that ends well. And I think they’re right.

You may be 36, with 14 years in the league to your name, causing many to believe you haven’t got much left in your tank. But I know better. And more than that, I understand the value of having you around, even if gone are the days of averaging 30 points a season.

So here’s to you, Wade.

Back where you’ve always belonged.

This time, in a fresh Vice uniform.

A new chapter begins now.

Always a supporter,

Allana