Los Angeles Times

'They loved life': Family and friends give tearful tributes at Kobe Bryant at memorial

LOS ANGELES - Tears streamed down Vanessa Bryant's face as she spoke about the similarities between her husband, Kobe Bryant, and their 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and the bond they shared.

Bryant and his daughter both had a knack for writing touching tributes to Vanessa in cards and letters on special occasions. She talked about their passion for family time in the form of movie and game nights, adding that Bryant was a loving dad who always remembered the simple things, like leaving the toilet seat down for his daughters and wife.

"She was thoughtful like him. They were so easy to love. They were happy, funny, silly and they loved life. They were so full of joy and adventure," she said. "God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other. He had to bring them home together."

Bryant and Gianna were among nine people killed last month when the helicopter they were taking to Bryant's Mamba Academy for a youth basketball game slammed into a hillside in Calabasas.

Thousands of friends, family members and fans streamed into Staples Center - revered as the house

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