On what would have been the late Kobe Bryant's 42nd birthday, his widow, Vanessa Bryant, penned a moving eulogy.
“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! [sic]," Vanessa began in the emotional tribute to her late husband and daughter.
"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. 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 [sic].
"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. How to try to see the best in people but cutout the bs. 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 [sic].
"God I miss you both so much. 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 [sic]."
“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 [sic]."
41-year-old Kobe was traveling on a helicopter over Calabasas, California, with Gianna when it crashed, killing them and seven others on the 26th of January.
The group was traveling to Camarillo Airport in Ventura County for a basketball game at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks.
This comes after it was reported that Vanessa will be taking action against a California-based helicopter company for "extensive" damages, following the death of Kobe and Gianna.
Per PEOPLE magazine, which claims they have seen legal documents, the specific amount that Vanessa is seeking has not been specified, but the report details that "hundreds of millions" have been lost by the family in future earnings.
According to AP, Vanessa - who was married to the American professional basketball player for almost 20 years - first filed the wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters Inc back in February.
"As a result of Kobe Bryant's and GB's deaths, Vanessa Bryant seeks economic damages, non-economic damages, prejudgment interest, punitive damages, and other relief as the Court deems just and proper," the documents read, according to PEOPLE.
"Although the total specific amount of personal injury damages that Plaintiff seeks is TBD, Kobe Bryant's future lost earnings equal hundreds of millions of dollars," the document purportedly adds.
The lawsuit, Island Express Helicopters Inc, was filed at Los Angeles Superior Court, and alleged that the pilot was careless and negligent in eight different ways. A postmortem examination found that all nine victims died of blunt force trauma.
The 50-year-old pilot, Ara, tested negative for drugs and alcohol.
It has not yet been determined what caused the crash.
Alyssa Altobelli, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, and Christina Mauser, also died alongside Kobe, Gianna, and Ara.
