VIDEO: Vanessa Bryant Honors Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Memorial in Staples Center

Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa Bryant was tasked with honoring her daughter and husband at his memorial service on Monday, while still visibly grieving in the aftermath of their deaths. Her bravery was met with a standing ovation by the Staples Center crowd.

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant first met in summer of 1999. Kobe was a 20-year-old rising NBA star and Vanessa was a 17-year-old high school senior who was recruited to be in music videos for the Snoop Dog-led group Tha Eastsidaz.

They were engaged within six months of Vanessa turning 18 and were married in April of 2001, less than two years after first meeting.

Kobe and Vanessa had four children together, including their second-born daughter Gianna Bryant, who was in the helicopter with her father the day of the tragic crash.

“There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved.” Vanessa Bryant said in a statement after Kobe's death. "I wish they were here with us forever. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable.”

Vanessa's strength as a mother and wife was on full display Monday. We can only hope that courage carries her moving forward.