In Photos: Vanessa Bryant Immortalizes Kobe And Gianna Bryant's Legacy With A Moving Tribute

What do you do when your partner for life passes away without warning? What are you supposed to feel when your wedding vows that promise a union, till death do you part, come full circle? What do you say to your children who have also lost their father and are inconsolable, just like you?

They're questions that cannot be answered with a single answer, those that a grieving wife and mother will search far and wide to find. 

For Vanessa Bryant, basketball legend Kobe Bryant's widow, the healing journey has just begun for her and her three girls. 

As people all over the world took to social media to share their most treasured memories of the NBA star and their heartfelt condolences, Vanessa was silent.

Though her privacy was respected, many were naturally waiting for the words that would come from the woman Kobe was married to for almost two decades (they would have celebrated their 19th anniversary in April) and shared four daughters with, the youngest of whom is only seven-months-old. 

When she spoke out for the first time since news of his tragic fate made headlines, she brought everyone to tears.

Her heart-wrenching message captioned a family photo featuring all five of the Bryant family members smiling at the camera:

"My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe—the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna—a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri," she began. 

'"I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless—and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever," she adds.

As Vanessa also brought attention to Kobe and Gianna's companions who perished in the crash, she ended on a positive note—she announced that Team Mamba Family (a little nickname the Bryants embraced) have established the MambaonThree fund meant to aid the families of these individuals. 

"Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me," she ended.

Read Vanessa's complete post below:

Lastly, for a bit of sweetness in this bitter time indeed, we've compiled a gallery of some of the happiest Bryant family memories remind us all not to be sad that Kobe has left, but to be happy that he was even here. 

Images from @vanessabryant @kobebryant