Vanessa Bryant’s daughter is celebrating her birthday with a sweet nod to her late father.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, Vanessa, 42, shared a photo on her Instagram as she celebrated her daughter Bianka’s 8th birthday. In the photo, Bianka wears a white dress and a matching white bow, smiling for the camera.
In her caption, the mom of four took a minute to honor her daughter, adding that she’s been reminding Bianka that this year will carry extra significance as it has a tie to her late dad Kobe Bryant’s jersey number.
BB-8! BB is 8 today! Happy birthday to our Sunshine. We love you so much, Bianka! You bring so much love and laughter into our lives,” Vanessa wrote.
You are so loved mama! 😘❤️🎉🎂🎉 You say it’s your BB8 birthday, and I’ll keep reminding you it’s your daddy (#8 ) year. ❤️.”
Kobe, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at age 41, along with 13-year-old daughter Gianna, wore the number 8 while on the Los Angeles Lakers before switching to the number 24.
Vanessa shares Gianna, Bianka, Natalia, 21, and Capri, 5, with Kobe.
In late August, Bianka was joined by Vanessa as she threw the first pitch to kick off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.