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James Van Der Beek is celebrating his son Jeremiah’s fourth birthday.
James, 48, shared a heartfelt tribute to his youngest son on social media on Friday, October 10. “4 years old today,” the Dawson’s Creek alum wrote. “After losing twice in the final stages, I thought it was over. Thank you for understanding.” Van der Beek and his wife Kimberly suffered two miscarriages in a seven-month period, one of which occurred in 2020 when she was 17 weeks pregnant.
The actor went on to explain the child’s growing personality. “Iron will combined with innate sweetness, and all boys. And when you run around and scream and hit things… all I can think about is how grateful I am that you came to us,” James continued.
He went on to joke that his youngest son has always been “picky.”
“And now that your language skills have finally caught up to the specificity of your desires, what I see is a fun-loving, passionate soul who doesn’t hesitate to vocalize exactly what she wants,” James elaborated. “Thank you for that example.”
James Van Der Beek/Facebook
James, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year, wrote about how he has balanced fatherhood with cancer treatment.
“I’m sorry, there were times when I couldn’t be the father I wanted to be to you…I was too weak to pick you up, toss you around, even put you to bed…but please know that watching you reveal yourself to us has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” James continued.
James Van Der Beek/Facebook
The actor also joked, “I’m stingy with hugs, but…when you decide to wrap your fat little arms around my neck, it’s like time has stopped and all is well with the world.”
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“I love you, Baba. I always will. And all you have to do is be you. Happy birthday my ‘big little son,'” he concluded the message. It included a photo of herself and Jeremiah playing outside, and a photo of Kimberly cuddling with her youngest child.
James and his wife Kimberly (43) have six children: Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabelle (11), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (6) and Jeremiah (4).
