Vanessa Bryant is commemorating an important milestone in the life of her eldest daughter, Natalia.
Vanessa shared a touching family photo of herself dropping off Natalia Bryant, 18, at the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Natalia’s younger sisters Bianka, 4, and Capri, 2, are featured in the photo, and the message made it plain that the moment was bittersweet.
“Today was rough, this was before the tears came down. Missing [two-fingers emoji] forever. I love you @nataliabryant BE EPIC and FIGHT ON.” She captioned adding red and yellow heart emojis.
Vanessa’s caption seems to also be in reference to the loss of her husband Kobe and 13 year old daughter Gianna Briant.
Sharing a video Instagram, Vanessa wrote “tears of joy,” She expressed how happy she was for her daughter, writing, “I know daddy is so PROUD OF YOU. I am so PROUD OF YOU!! Your hard work and dedication was so worth it. You pushed through the most excruciating pain imaginable and you succeeded. I wish Daddy and Gigi were physically here to celebrate but I know they’re here in spirit. We love you so much!”
Among those offering support in the comments section of the USC pic was Olympic volleyball star Kerri Walsh Jennings, who wrote, “I cannot imagine. Love to your heart. To Your oldest baby girls’ too.”
Former USC quarterback Matt Leinart, who eventually played in the NFL, was also on hand to support the new Trojan. “Fight on!!!! @nataliabryant @vanessabryant,” Matt commented with heart and praise hands emojis.
Natalia was later seen wearing bespoke USC sneakers, proving that the celebrations didn’t finish with the lovely video. She shared the news with her social media fans by posing for a selfie wearing a USC cap and adding, “See you soon.”
Storm Reid and Lily Collins were among the celebrities that took part in the social media celebrations. IMG Models, who previously signed Natalia in February, posted a few heart emojis alongside a “Yesssss” from Lily and a “CONGRATULATIONS” from Storm.
Vanessa shared footage of Natalia’s ecstatic reaction to learning she had been accepted into the institution on social media in March. The mother applauded the teen’s “hard work and dedication” in her caption.
“You pushed through the most excruciating pain imaginable and you succeeded. I wish Daddy and Gigi were physically here to celebrate but I know they’re here in spirit. We love you so much!” She continued.
Natalia, who recently earned a modeling contract with a prominent agency, paid tribute to her father by wearing one of his favorite quotations on her graduation cap during her high school graduation in June. The message was as follows: ” ‘Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is an opportunity for me to rise.’ – Dad.”
Natalia was admitted to Loyola Marymount University, University of California, Irvine, and the University of Oregon, according to People. There’s no news yet on whether USC will be Natalia’s final choice, but there’s no doubt she has a bright future ahead of her.