On Tuesday, Kobe Bryant would have turned 44 ... his wife, Vanessa, wrote on Instagram that she loves and misses him so much.
Vanessa posted a photo of herself and her NBA legend husband from 2009, the year Kobe won his 4th NBA title and 1st NBA Finals MVP award.
After the game, Bryant hugged Vanessa -- wearing his 2009 NBA championship shirt and hat -- and they were both all smiles.
It was the 40-year-old's birthday on Tuesday, and he wished her a very happy birthday on behalf of the entire family.
You are the love of my life, Kobe Bryant! I miss you so much, and I love you so much! #44 ❤️ @kobebryant"
As a tribute to Kobe, whom she married in April 2001, and her daughter Gigi, Vanessa got tattoos in their honor, launched the Mambacita clothing line, and took her three other daughters to Italy.
In July, Vanessa said, "my husband and I visited Reggio Calabria, which is a city he lived in when he was about eight years old."
During his 20 seasons in the NBA, he won five championships and two MVP awards in the NBA Finals....
He has been an NBA All-Star 18 times, has broken numerous records, and is considered one of the best players in NBA history.
It would've been Kobe Bryant's 44th birthday on Tuesday, and his wife, Vanessa, wrote a heartfelt message to him on Instagram expressing how much she loves and misses him.