Vanessa Bryant honors late husband Kobe Bryant on 22nd anniversary of their April 2001 wedding

‘Happy birthday, baby’: Vanessa Bryant honors late husband Kobe Bryant on 22nd anniversary of their April 2001 wedding

Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram on Tuesday to honor her late husband Kobe Bryant on their 22nd wedding anniversary.

Vanessa, 40, shared a photo of herself with her late husband vacationing in Florence, Italy with a touching caption.

“Happy anniversary, honey,” the Los Angeles resident said. “I love you @kobebryant #22.”

The legend of the late Lakers had a fondness for Italy, as he spent several years there as a child, spoke Italian and regularly vacationed there with his family.

Kobe and Vanessa initially crossed paths in November 1999 on the set of a music video when Kobe was 20 years old and Vanessa was 17.

Memories: Vanessa Bryant, 40, took to Instagram on Tuesday to honor her late husband Kobe Bryant on their 22nd wedding anniversary. She shared a photo from a vacation to Florence, Italy

The NBA stalwart proposed to Vanessa after she turned 18 and the couple exchanged vows on April 18, 2001 at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California.

A number of celebrity friends of the family chimed in the comment section on the post with words of support for Vanessa.

Ciara said, “Happy Birthday! I love you V Boo,” while La La Anthony said, “Happy Birthday…I love you so much.”

Singer Monica said, “Happy Anniversary @vanessabryant… We all Love You Deep,” while Kobe’s former NBA colleagues Dwayne Wade and Caron Butler posted heart emojis.

Others who chime in with friendly messages include stylist Amber Fillerup Clark, jewelry designer Simone I. Smith, beauty blogger Emily Ann Gemma, and influencer Camila Coelho.

The couple would welcome four daughters: Natalia, 20, Bianka, six, Capri, three, and the late Gigi, who died at age 13 with her father, 41, and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. California on January 26, 2020.

Also killed in the crash were pilot Ara Zobayan, 50, Payton Chester, 13, Sarah Chester, 46, Alyssa Altobelli, 14, Keri Altobelli, 46, John Altobelli, 56, and Christina Mauser, 38.

1681881845 729 Vanessa Bryant honors late husband Kobe Bryant on 22nd anniversary

A number of celebrity friends of the family, including Ciara and La La Anthony, chimed in the comment section on the post with words of support for Vanessa

A number of celebrity friends of the family, including Ciara and La La Anthony, chimed in the comment section on the post with words of support for Vanessa

Vanessa was photographed last month at a Lakers game honoring Kobe confidante and family friend Pau Gasol

Vanessa was photographed last month at a Lakers game honoring Kobe confidante and family friend Pau Gasol

Vanessa was photographed last month with daughters Natalia, 20, Bianka, six, Capri, three, at a reveal of Kobe Bryant's hand and footprints placed in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California

Vanessa was photographed last month with daughters Natalia, 20, Bianka, six, Capri, three, at a reveal of Kobe Bryant’s hand and footprints placed in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California