Vanessa Bryant celebrates 'best girl dad' Kobe Bryant on second Father's Day since his passing: 'We love you forever and always'

Vanessa Bryant continues to pay tribute to late husband Kobe Bryant on every milestone holiday since he tragically passed in January 2020. 

The 39-year-old mother of four wished the famed Laker and 'best girl dad,' a Happy Father's Day on Sunday — as the family grappled with the second one without him.  

'To the best girl dad ~ Happy Father's Day, Papi. We love you forever and always, always and forever. Love you always, Nani, Gigi, B.B, Koko and VB,' she wrote while sharing a snap.

'Always and forever': Vanessa Bryant, 39, celebrates late husband and 'best girl dad' Kobe Bryant on Father's day with a snap of he and their four daughters

'Always and forever': Vanessa Bryant, 39, celebrates late husband and 'best girl dad' Kobe Bryant on Father's day with a snap of he and their four daughters

The photo appeared to be from Kobe's last birthday on August 23 2019 — just five months before his passing — as he posed alongside his four girls Natalia, 18, Bianka, four, Capri, two, and the late Gianna.

The NBA legend cradled their youngest daughter while Gianna clung onto his shoulder, and his other girls sat beside him smiling from ear to ear. 

Vanessa's comment section was filled with strings of red hearts from the likes of Dwyane Wade, best friend Ciara, and models Lily Aldridge and Gigi Hadid. 

And Jennifer Lopez's ex Alex Rodriguez wrote 'GOAT' and Russell Wilson commented 'Family.' 

Eldest daughter Natalia — who recently graduated high school and is set to go to USC — also posted a throwback snap of herself and her dad to Instagram as he pushed the then-toddler in a swing. 'Happy Father's Day! I love you Dad,' she wrote. 

Another tribute: Eldest model daughter Natalia also paid tribute as she posted a photo of she and her dad

Another tribute: Eldest model daughter Natalia also paid tribute as she posted a photo of she and her dad 

In her heart: She celebrates her late husband of 20 years on every milestone holiday as she continues to mourn the loss of the famed Laker; pictured June 18

In her heart: She celebrates her late husband of 20 years on every milestone holiday as she continues to mourn the loss of the famed Laker; pictured June 18

The holiday also coincided with Capri's second birthday as Vanessa continued to celebrate her youngest daughter 'Koko-Bean' by sharing portrait snaps to her grid.   

'Happy 2nd Birthday, Capri! Mommy, Daddy, Nani, Gigi and B.B. love you so much! You are our beautiful ray of light,' she wrote. 'Thank you for bringing so much joy and love into our lives. May you be blessed with many more happy, healthy and wonderful birthdays. We love you Koko-Bean! Happy birthday!!!!' 

Vanessa celebrated what would have been her and Kobe's 20th anniversary in April after the pair met on the set of a music video when she was in high school. 

They swiftly married in 2001 just shortly after she turned 18, and remained together until he lost his life in a helicopter accident alongside daughter Gianna and seven others on January 26, 2020. 

Family: Kobe and Gianna tragically lost their lives on January 26 2020 after their private helicopter crashed

Family: Kobe and Gianna tragically lost their lives on January 26 2020 after their private helicopter crashed 

20 years: Vanessa celebrated what would have been she and Kobe's 20th anniversary in April after the pair met on the set of a music video when she was in high school

20 years: Vanessa celebrated what would have been she and Kobe's 20th anniversary in April after the pair met on the set of a music video when she was in high school

In March she told PEOPLE that their death 'motivate [her] to keep going,' despite confessing to some very dark days. 

'I guess the best way to describe it is that Kobe and Gigi motivate me to keep going. They inspire me to try harder and be better every day. Their love is unconditional and they motivate me in so many different ways,' she said. 

And Vanessa continues to fight to keep his memory alive and seek justice, filing a lawsuit in September against the Los Angeles County sheriff claiming that deputies shared unauthorized photos of the helicopter crash.   

In June she continued to fight for the privacy and healing of her family, as she slammed Nike for moving forward on production of a shoe she had designed in honor of 13-year-old Gianna, but had never authorized them 'for sale.'  

'I wanted it to be sold to honor my daughter with ALL of the proceeds benefiting Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, but did not re-sign the Nike contract and decided not to sell these shoes. Nike has NOT sent any of these pairs to me and my girls. I do not know how someone else has their hand on shoes I designed,' she said.

Foundation: To honor the memory of Kobe and Gianna she created the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, and recently released limited edition merch to raise funds for the organization

Foundation: To honor the memory of Kobe and Gianna she created the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, and recently released limited edition merch to raise funds for the organization

 

 

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