James Van Der Beek‘s wife Kimberly Van Der Beek has shared a touching tribute to her late actor husband, on what would have been his 49th birthday.
The Dawson’s Creek star died at the age of 48 on February 11, just weeks before his birthday, following a colorectal cancer battle.
Kimberly, 44, also posted a moving video of their daughter Emilia, nine, who spoke in the video about her grief following her father’s death.
Watch the videos above.
In her tribute, shared on her Instagram stories, Kimberly shared a series of flashback photographs of the pair together and some heartbreaking words.
“Would be your 49th birthday today. And I’m missing you tremendously,” her post began.
“You are the light of your lives. Your love. Beauty. Presence. Tenderness. Protection. Safety. Creativity. Singing,” she added, underneath family pictures.
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“I’m so grateful for the time,” she captioned another.
“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 added.
In her post, she also said how good a father he was to their six kids.
Following his death, a crowdfunding page was set up for his family, which has raised millions.
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She also shared a moving video of their daughter Emilia sharing tips to others on how to process grief.
“As you will probably know, my dad has passed away,” she says in the clip.
“So today is my dad’s birthday, and the number one thing for somebody’s passing is to talk to them and let your emotions out,” she says.
“If you miss them, you can cry. You can talk to them. I talk to my dad every day. I start with a sentence, and I say, ‘Hi, Dad. I miss you and I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you.'”
She sweetly said she “stole his hat” as a keepsake.
“My dad’s hat smells like him and I love it so much,” she added.
In a statement shared on his official Instagram page on February 12, it revealed the actor had died after his cancer battle.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” it read.
“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.”
Dawson’s Creek cast: Then and now
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