Many years ago, before Nike stopped making them, my father had purchased custom Kobe Bryant sneakers. Bryant was one of, if not the best, National Basketball Association players at the time. The sneakers had my father's initials on each of the tongues and his birth year on the back heel. The tongue also has the numbers 33, 8, and 24 going up, which represent Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers in his high school and NBA career. Originally, my father had intended to wear the sneakers and play basketball with them since they are such excellent basketball shoes, but he did not fit them. He preserved and kept them away for years because he did not want it to go to waste. Years later, my father came across them and told me to try them on to see if they fit me. They fit perfectly and I found them to be extremely comfortable. For the past year, I have been proudly wearing the Kobe’s and they have remained in great condition. Whether it’s on the court playing basketball or during gym class, I cherish these shoes very much. Four years have passed since the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant. He was a basketball legend who inspired countless individuals worldwide. Every time I lace up these shoes, I am filled with a sense of connection not only to my father and family but also to the memory and legacy of Kobe Bryant. With each step I take, I am reminded of these people who have an important role in my life. I also put these on knowing that I am the only person in the world with these shoes. This pair of sneakers had come a long way and I could not be more thankful for something like this.

– Aiden Torres

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