Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant, pens heartfelt note on his birthday

The two tied the knot in 2001 and were married until his tragic helicopter crash

August 23 marked late American basketball player, Kobe Bryant's birthday and his widow, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram to honour her husband's memory with a throwback picture and a long heartfelt note for him. 

"To my baby. Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain," she wrote, before going on to mention her late daughter Gigi Bryant, who also passed away in a fatal helicopter crash with her father. "I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate you! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi," she penned in a heartfelt note. 

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The mother of four (including Gigi) went on to look back at her memories with her late husband of 19 years. "I think about your tenderness and patience all the time. I think about everything you would do in situations to help me deal with everything thrown my way. Thank you for growing up with me and teaching me how to be strong," she wrote, adding onto the list of things she misses about her lost love. 

"Your thoughtful gestures and the amazing way you made us all feel is extremely missed. I picture your smile and wide big welcoming hugs daily. God, I miss you both so much. Our lives feel so empty without you and Gigi," she went on, adding how she is "completely broken inside" and is "not the strong one", instead crediting her three daughters, Natalia, Bianca, and Capri for being strong and keeping her going.  "I wish I could surprise our girls and welcome you and Gigi home to us," she expressed in a heartwrenching line. 

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Vanessa then shared her deepest emotions in the note, saying how she wishes she had gone first instead of Kobe and Gigi, and how she wishes she "could tell you and show you and Gigi. So many things you would both be happy to see and be a part of. So many milestones for our girls. So many things you would be proud of."

"I’m so thankful I have pieces of heaven here on earth to wake up for- thanks to you. Thank you for loving me enough to last several lifetimes. In every lifetime I would choose you. Thank you for showing me what real love is. Thank YOU for everything," she expressed further. 

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The 38-year-old concluded her note with a special wish for Kobe. "Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, Capri and I wish you a happy birthday my love. I love you for now, forever and for always." 

Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gigi passed away on January 26 when the helicopter they were in crashed over Calabasas, California. 

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