#KobesFarewell

I followed Kobe Bryant's career since high school and I am one of the many girls who fantasized about him being her husband. I had his NBA card, his posters, and yes, I even drew little hearts around our photos together.

He was, and will always be, my BEST NBA player of all-time.

Today, I learned from my husband that the NBA regular season has ended and that it will be Kobe's final game as he has already retired. And like a past relationship, so many memories replayed in my mind like a broken down kaleidoscope.

Who was Kobe Bryant for me?




He was my hero. Because of him, I learned to love sports that somehow led me to try out for our high school volleyball team. Though his game was basketball, I was just a fan and I knew it the moment I held a basketball in my hands. I can shoot, I can dribble, heck I can even cross-over but I will never be like him.

So, volleyball became my sports and I was good at it. I was our batch's setter and I even landed the same position in our school's volleyball varsity team. Kobe pushed me to achieve something I never dreamt of doing.

So, with a heavy heart though full of love, praise, and awe, thank you Kobe Bryant! #MambaOut

After putting the team on his back and getting the win, Kobe Bryant speaks postgame one last time:

VIDEO: https://t.co/CdM5wDqWxc

— LakersTV (@LakersTV) April 14, 2016