James Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly Van Der Beek, poignantly marked her family’s first Father’s Day since his tragic death.
“Missing you so much and thinking of how magnificent you were in every single way today,” Kimberly, 44, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, June 21, sharing a carousel of throwback photos of James with their six children. “And somehow, from the other side? You continue to parent. You’re a marvel.”
James died in February after battling stage III colorectal cancer. He was 48.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” Kimberly wrote in a statement shared via social media at the time. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
In the months since the Dawson’s Creek alum’s death, Kimberly has been candid about navigating her grief.
“Yesterday was three months since we lost @vanderjames. To say I’m heartbroken is a severe understatement. Words just don’t capture what grief is,” she wrote via Instagram last month. “The comforts of shock have worn off. The reality is settling in … and I miss him. We all miss him. Yet, there is a different kind of magic in the air.”
She continued at the time, “I feel him. I know him more deeply. My conscious connection to God has deepened. The veils of the universe have thinned. And I trust that this is the path me and my family have always been intended to walk. The outpouring of support has been tremendous. It’s held our family in the most beautiful of ways.”
As Kimberly and her kids remember James on Father’s Day, several of their loved ones have also paid tribute to the actor’s legacy.
“The best of the best forever. We love you so much James🙏🏼❤️✨,” Nikki Reed wrote via Instagram comment on Sunday. “Wrapping all of your little people in the warmest hugs today, and always. ❤️❤️❤️.”
Dave Annable, for his part, added, “The best father there ever was.”
James’ Dawson’s Creek TV mom, Mary-Margaret Humes, also celebrated the actor this weekend.
“Wishing all of the amazing dads throughout this vast universe a Happy Father’s Day weekend,” Humes, 72, captioned a throwback set photo. “My advice? Give big meaningful hugs and tell them you love them while you still have the chance … a shout out to simpler times with @vanderjames @johnwesleyshippjr.”
