Meredith Monroe is reminiscing about her friendship with James Van Der Beek as she pays tribute weeks after his tragic death.
The “Tornado Valley” star posted a series of photos on Instagram Friday with his late “Dawson’s Creek” co-star, reflecting on his “legacy” and his time on the WB hit.
“It’s been two weeks and I still don’t know what to say?? Nothing seems right??,” Monroe captioned the photo.
“James, you, Kimberly, your children and family are always in my thoughts, prayers, and heart.”
The “Criminal Minds” actress, 48, added: “I am filled with fond memories of the friendship we have shared over the years and this one comes from them.”
Ms. Monroe also reflected on Ms. Van Der Beek’s “light,” saying it shined through “your humor and your laughter.”
“Your curiosity about others and the world around you, your time and energy, your ability to be fully present and make others feel welcome and comfortable, your honesty, your friendship, your compassion, your love,” she added.
She ended her post with a sweet nod to Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, whom he married in 2010, and their six children.
“James, may the love and community your light has built around the world be infinitely reflected in your beautiful wife Kimberly, your wonderful children, and your family,” she wrote. “God got an angel too soon. Rest in peace.”
Monroe posted a solo shot of Van Der Beek, a photo of the two of them on Dawson’s Creek, and a photo of her with Mary-Margaret Humes, who played her on-screen mother Gail Lilley.
Monroe and Van Der Beek (who passed away on February 11, 2026 at the age of 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer) co-starred on the hit drama for three seasons.
The actress played Andie McPhee from seasons 2 to 4, and Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery for all six seasons.
©Columbia Tristar/Courtesy of Everett Collection
Van Der Beek’s “Dawson’s Creek” co-star Katie Holmes also posted a handwritten tribute earlier this month.
The actress wrote in part, “I mourn this loss, mindful of the reality of his absence and deeply grateful for his imprint.”
Holmes, who played Joey Potter on the show from 1998 to 2003, captioned the Instagram upload: “So grateful to be able to share a part of James’ journey. He is loved.”
“Heartbroken” Sasha Alexander, who played Gretchen Witter, described Van Der Beek as a “deep and thoughtful soul” in an Instagram post after the news broke.
“I’ll always be grateful that I got to stand in his light for a little while, laugh with him, go to prom with Dawson, grow up with him,” she said. “He will live on in our memories and in the kindness he left behind. Rest in peace, my friend.”
©Columbia Tristar/Courtesy of Everett Collection
After Van Der Beek’s death, his friends set up a GoFundMe to raise money for his children.
Since then, the page has raised more than $1.32 million.
The original goal for the fundraiser was $500,000, which eventually grew to $1.5 million.
More than 26,000 people have donated to the fundraiser, including actress Zoe Saldaña, who has set a recurring monthly amount of $2,500.
