Even Before Dad Pau Gasol, Vanessa Bryant Sends Heartfelt Message to Two-Year-Old Max
Kobe Bryant once famously told Pau Gasol, “Send me your sons, and I’ll teach them how to be tough, to fight, to work, and to go for it… I’ll send you my daughters so you can teach them about culture, awareness, and things like that.” The bond between these two basketball legends has transcended generations, leaving a lasting impact not just on fans, but on their families as well. The Gasol and Bryant families are practically one big family, bound by deep love, friendship, and shared memories.
Vanessa Bryant has remained an essential part of the Gasol family’s life, and her bond with Pau and Catherine McDonnell’s children is a testament to this closeness. Recently, Pau Gasol and Catherine named their first daughter Elisabet Gianna Gasol in honor of the late Lakers superstar, Kobe Bryant. Their shared history and affection do not stop there—Vanessa Bryant is also the godmother of Pau and Catherine’s children, ensuring the bond between these two families continues for generations to come.
Vanessa Bryant recently shared a touching birthday message for the middle child of Pau and Catherine, Max, on Instagram. “Happy 2nd birthday, Max! We love you so much! ❤️ @catgasol @paugasol,” she wrote, making sure the day was special for the two-year-old. While Pau Gasol had not yet posted anything publicly, Catherine McDonnell made sure to celebrate the day through her social media stories, showcasing their heartfelt family moments.
Catherine posted, “Happy 2nd birthday to our gentle giant, Max! You are sweet, smart, stubborn, and so cute (papa’s clone). We love you so much.” It’s clear from their posts that both Vanessa and Catherine are all about making their little boy’s day unforgettable.
Earlier this year, in July, the Gasol family announced that their team was growing: “New Rookie signing! Gasol starting 5, coming this fall 2024 season. ♂️♀️♂️” they announced with excitement. Vanessa Bryant’s eldest daughter, Natalia, enthusiastically added, “YAYYY ❤️❤️❤️.” The Gasol household is all about family love—even the family members who haven’t arrived yet are celebrated!
Interestingly, Catherine humorously shared the struggles of having a third child, jokingly adding, “Poor third kid never gets bump pics #thirdchildproblems already.” The light-hearted humor continued in September when Catherine shared her baby bump photo in an Instagram story. Dressed in a sleek black dress, her baby bump was almost hard to spot, but she warmly posed while holding her stomach, showing her excitement for her upcoming child. Pau Gasol’s wife knows how to bring humor and honesty to the journey of parenthood, which only makes the fans love the family even more.
When it comes to birthdays, Vanessa Bryant is always present. Just last year, she shared images of both families spending time together, writing a sweet dedication to the birthday boy, Max: “Sweet baby Max ❤️ @paugasol @catgasol.” Catherine responded to this loving post, saying, “Max loves his Auntie V and cousins! ❤️.” It’s heartwarming to see how these families find time to come together, celebrate, and create memories that will last forever.
READ MORE ~ Even Before Dad Pau Gasol, Vanessa Bryant Sends Heartfelt Message to Two-Year-Old Max
Not just the little ones, even the adults are celebrated with the same enthusiasm. Recently, after the Lakers unveiled the first of the three statues of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol spoke to his former teammates, remembering the Black Mamba’s teachings: “I think it’s also our responsibility, as we are here, to be able to spread that mindset as much as we can to the younger generation. In this world that is fast-moving, where everything is in your phone, you can get anything quickly in an easier way, but there’s no replacement for hard work, dedication, and commitment.”
When it was time to celebrate Pau Gasol’s own birthday, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram to express her love and appreciation: “Happy birthday, brother!!! We love you @paugasol .” Pau reposted her message, adding, “Thank you, sister!! Love you!!” with several heart emojis. Kobe Bryant’s eldest daughter, Natalia, affectionately calls him “Uncle Pau,” because he truly is a part of their family.
Pau Gasol has not only taken on the role of a friend to Kobe’s daughters but also actively participated in their lives. From taking ballet lessons with Bianca to playing with toys alongside Capri and even spending time playing golf with Natalia, Pau’s commitment to the Bryant family continues to shine through.
The Bryant-Gasol bond is indeed something unique—a mix of family, friendship, love, and respect. Vanessa Bryant and Pau Gasol have both been pillars of support for each other during difficult times and are now celebrating the joys of parenthood and togetherness. As the Gasol family grows, Vanessa is ever-present, making sure she’s part of their cherished moments, just as she had always been when Kobe was around.
