Kobe Bryant melts hearts with moving tribute to his eldest daughter on her 16th birthday

Some weeks after announcing their big family news, Kobe Bryant put family first again with heartfelt birthday tributes for his oldest daughter, Natalia.

It seemed like yesterday when Kobe and his wife, Vanessa welcomed their first child, but now, Natalia Diamante Bryant is a 16-year-old beauty.

She turned the famous “Sweet Sixteen” on January 19, and her basketball legend father did not let the day go by without a shout-out to his little girl.

Taking to Instagram, Kobe shared a photo of himself and Natalia, their backs against the sea and their smiles undeniably heartwarming.

The former NBA star poured out his heart in the caption:

“Happy 16th Birthday my baby! I’m beyond proud of the young woman you have become. You are kind, intelligent, hardworking, caring, loving and beautiful inside and out. There aren’t enough words to express how much I love you principessa. Happy #sweet16”

On a hilarious note, Kobe also posted another picture of himself and his daughter, this time a throwback image of when she was only two.

Father and daughter were pictured strolling on the street in matching oversized jackets that are downright comical.

Several followers thought as much too and said so in the comments.

“Lmao that coat though!” ~ @mr.nightcap

“Got that 2005 Anchor Blue fit on!! My my, times have changed. Happy birthday Natalia!” ~ @ballinninja

“The clothes we wore back im [sic] the day... everything real big!” ~ @shottazulu_

Kobe, 40, and Vanessa, 36, rang in the New Year with good news for fans and well-wishers. The couple shared identical Instagram posts that read:

"New year, new baby! Baby Mamba on the way 2019."

Vanessa added that their youngest daughter, Bianka, two, will have a new sibling to play with and that her older girls, Natalia and Gianna, 12, “are super excited to welcome another little baby sister to love."

The retired NBA star is beyond excited to welcome another daughter and probably can’t wait to dote on her as he currently does on all his girls.

Kobe, who retired from basketball in 2016, revealed a year later that his wife wanted a boy more than he did.

“I hear boys are just walking tornadoes,” said Kobe in an interview. “We’ll see. I think Vanessa wants a boy more than I do.”

It seems Kobe is getting his wish, after all.