Arizona NBA fans may be pleased to learn that superstar Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa have called off their divorce. Both announced their reconciliation by separate postings on social media sites, Kobe opting for Facebook and Vanessa using Instagramn. The couple has faced the possibility of divorce for at least the last decade, following revelations that Kobe allegedly assaulted a woman sexually in 2003. Those accusations resulted in criminal charges that were ultimately dismissed when the woman involved did not want to participate in a trial.
Kobe and Vanessa renewed their vows during a ceremony in 2005, which reportedly cost Kobe upwards of $50,000. But the relationship appears to have remained rocky, and Vanessa instituted formal divorce proceedings in 2011. Nevertheless, the two were still spotted together, and Vanessa was a frequent visitor at Kobe’s home basketball games on the west coast.
In her social media announcement, Vanessa noted that the pending divorce proceedings will be dismissed. In his own statement, Kobe said that having someone to share life’s journey makes it all more beautiful. The couple has two girls, nine and six years old.
Each marriage is different. Most of those who are married in Arizona would freely admit that their relationship has not always been a bed of roses. Many couples decide that divorce may be the answer and begin the process of negotiating a fair settlement. Those that are able to confront these issues with open lines of communication are most likely to achieve the result they desire, and in some instances, reconciliation may be possible. While each marriage is unique, there is no shame is getting advice and assistance when circumstances warrant, and doing so does not necessarily mean that there is no hope left to resolve outstanding issues and continue a marriage.
Source: New York Daily News, “Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa announce canceled divorce on Facebook and Instagram,” Carol Kuruvilla, Jan. 12, 2013
