‘IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME'

On Kobe Bryant's birthday, wife Vanessa pens tear-jerking message

Vanessa Bryant, wife of the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, wrote a heart-wrenching letter on what would have been her husband’s 42nd birthday.

In her latest Instagram post, Vanessa posted a portrait with the NBA star and said: "To my baby~ Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. 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. I miss your big hugs, your kisses, your smile, your loud ass deep laugh," the post said, as quoted by CNN

"I miss teasing you, making you laugh and bursting your bubble. I miss you sitting on my lap like my big baby that you are. 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,” it added.

Vanessa also talked about her family's personal struggles since Kobe and their daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash with seven others last January 26.

"Our lives feel so empty without you and Gigi. I've been completely broken inside. As much as I want to cry, I put a smile on my face to make our daughters' days shine a little brighter. I'm not the strong one, they are. They're strong and resilient. I'm sure you're proud of them. They put a smile on my face everyday," CNN quotes Vanessa

"I wish I could wake up from this horrible nightmare. 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."

One of their daughters, Natalia, also penned a short but sweet message for her dad on the caption of an throwback photo she posted on IG.

“Happy Birthday Dad! I miss your smile, laugh and big bear hugs. Happy Birthday to the best movie buddy I could have ever asked for,” the daughter wrote.

“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,” she added.

Kobe, 41 and Gianna Bryant, 13 died in a helicopter crash last January 26, 2020.

The 18-time NBA all-star nicknamed “The Black Mamba” is survived by his wife Vanessa and their three daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News