“Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, Capri and I wish you a happy birthday my love. I love you for now, forever and ever,” Bryant had posted.
On August 23, Vanessa Bryant celebrated what would have been her late husband Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday.
“To my baby ~ Happy birthday. I love you and I miss you more than I can explain,” she wrote in an Instagram post dedicated to him. “I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate! I wish I could make you your favorite food or a birthday cake with my Gigi. “
Gianna, or Gigi, as she is affectionately called by her family, was killed with Kobe in the January 26 helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, which also claimed the lives of many other people.
“I wish I could wake up from this horrible nightmare,” she further added. “I wish I could surprise our girls and welcome you and Gigi home to us. I’m mad I didn’t go first. I always wanted to go first so that I selfishly didn’t have to feel this heartache. You were supposed to miss me. Gigi was supposed to be here with her sisters. It should’ve been me.”
Kobe and Vanessa, who were married for two decades had four daughters together – Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, Capri, 14 months, and Gianna, 13 years old.
On Instagram, Natalia also remembered her father’s special day with some touching words.
“Happy Birthday Dad I miss your smile, laugh and big bear hugs,” her Instagram caption read. “Happy Birthday to the best movie buddy I could have ever asked for. I will always remember our late night drives to the movie theater with the windows rolled down and listening to our favorite songs. I love you forever and always. Always, Slim.”
Orange County and Los Angeles officially celebrated August 24, also known as “Mamba Day,” as “Kobe Bryant Day” this year, to celebrate the iconic basketball player. The day, which was the 24th day of the 8th month, represents the two jersey numbers he donned as the Los Angeles Laker, 8 and 24, during his two-decade career.
© 2020, Jonathan P-Wright. All rights reserved.
