James Van Der Beek was honored with love this Father’s Day, even though he is no longer there to receive it in person.
His widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, marked the bittersweet holiday with a heartfelt tribute to the husband and father she lost earlier this year. Her words moved fans and loved ones alike.
James Van Der Beek passed away in February after a long battle with colorectal cancer. This Father’s Day marked the family’s first without him by their side.
James Van Der Beek Is In The Thoughts Of His Widow On Father’s Day
Kimberly shared a tender tribute to her late husband on Instagram this Father’s Day, posting a slideshow of the “Dawson’s Creek” star with their six children.
“Missing you so much and thinking of how magnificent you were in every single way today,” she wrote. The tribute reflected on both her grief and the lasting presence she still feels from him.
“And somehow, from the other side? You continue to parent. You’re a marvel,” she added. The post drew an outpouring of love from friends, former co-stars, and fans alike.
Kimberly Van Der Beek Reflected On Grief Three Months After His Passing
Kimberly’s Father’s Day tribute followed a deeply personal update she shared earlier this year. The Blast reported that she opened up about the weight of her grief three months after losing her husband, in an emotional Instagram post.
“Yesterday was three months since we lost James. To say I’m heartbroken is a severe understatement,” she wrote at the time. She admitted that the initial shock surrounding his death had begun to fade.
“Words just don’t capture what grief is. The comforts of shock have worn off. The reality is settling in, and I miss him. We all miss him,” she continued.
James Van Der Beek’s Wife Finds Comfort In A Continued Connection
Despite the pain of her loss, Kimberly described feeling a continued spiritual bond with her late husband as she navigates life without him. She shared that the connection has, in some ways, deepened since his passing.
“Yet, there is a different kind of magic in the air. I feel him. I know him more deeply,” she wrote. “My conscious connection to God has deepened. The veils of the universe have thinned.”
She expressed trust that the path she and her family now walk was always meant to unfold this way, even amid profound loss. Her reflections offered a window into how she has chosen to carry her grief forward.
The Family Marked His First Birthday Since His Passing With Cherished Memories
Kimberly’s continued tributes followed an earlier celebration of what would have been her husband’s 49th birthday. The Blast reported that she and their daughter honored the actor with photos, videos, and heartfelt messages shared on social media.
“The way you were at birth, held our newborns, revered me. I will cherish forever,” Kimberly wrote alongside a photo of James holding their newborn child. She also shared lighter memories, including a video of him decorating their Christmas tree.
“Baby, you were the best humanity had to offer. This is a loss I don’t know how to process. I will love you forever,” she wrote in another post, reflecting on the depth of what their family had lost.
James Van Der Beek Reportedly Renewed His Vows With Kimberly Days Before His Death
In his final days, James and Kimberly shared one last deeply meaningful moment together. The Blast reported that the couple spontaneously renewed their wedding vows just two days before his passing.
Kimberly told People the ceremony was decided on suddenly, with friends filling their bedroom with flowers and candles while the couple exchanged new rings. She described the moment as “simple, beautiful, and moving.”
A friend closed the intimate ceremony by playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as family and close friends looked on, some joining remotely. It was a final, tender goodbye between two people who built a life and a family together.
As Kimberly and their six children continue to honor James Van Der Beek, one thing remains clear: how do you really say goodbye to a love that never truly leaves?