Vanessa Bryant is missing her daughter Gianna just a little bit more today.
The late teen, who perished in a helicopter crash back in January alongside her father, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, would have turned 14 years old on Friday. And so the grieving wife and mother decided to honor her late daughter’s birthday in her memory, posting a touching message and an adorable photo to Instagram early Friday morning.
Related: Vanessa Honors Kobe With Special Message On 19th Wedding Anniversary
The 37-year-old mother shared some emotional words of praise and love for her late daughter, who had herself been a basketball prodigy seemingly prepared to follow in her father’s footsteps before her tragic death.
Posting publicly for her 14 million IG followers, Vanessa wrote:
“Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna. Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you. You are part of MY SOUL forever. I miss you so much everyday. I wish I could wake up and have you here with me. I miss your smile, your hugs and your giggles. I miss EVERYTHING about YOU, Gigi. I LOVE YOU so much!!!!!!! ❤️???❤️”
Awww… so touching, and so special.
Along with it, she shared an old pic of her daughter grinning ear to ear, as you can see (below):
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_psEN4jWPc/
So much emotion…
Natalia Bryant, Kobe and Vanessa’s eldest daughter, also shared a pic (see it HERE) in honor of her sister to Insta, writing:
“Happy 14th Birthday Gigi! ❤️ I miss your smile everyday but I know you’re always smiling down on us from heaven with daddy.I LOVE YOU. ?”
In addition, V announced that bracelets will soon be available for purchase in honor of her daughter, with proceeds benefiting the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_pyc67jTIP/
It feels like forever since Kobe and Gigi passed away along with several other people in that Calabasas-area helicopter crash back in late January. The world has largely moved on since then, but we’re still sending so much love to Vanessa and the family as they continue to deal with this sudden, horrific loss.
Happy Birthday, Gianna.
[Image via WENN/Instar/Instagram]
