James Van Der Beek\u2019s widow celebrated their daughter Emilia\u2019s birthday on Thursday by sharing a photo of the 10-year-old and the late actor.<\/p>\n
\u201cMissing you my love,\u201d Kimberly Van Der Beek wrote of the sweet Instagram Story<\/a> snap, taken \u201cjust a few heavenly months ago.\u201d<\/p>\n In the throwback shot, the Dawson\u2019s Creek alum leaned into a hug from the little one while sitting outside bundled in a fur-lined jacket.<\/p>\n Emilia sported an oversized sweatshirt in the outdoor pic, resting her arms on her dad\u2019s shoulders and her head atop his.<\/p>\n Kimberly and James welcomed five more kids \u2014 Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4 \u2014 prior to the Pose alum losing his cancer battle in February.<\/p>\n On what would have been James\u2019 49th birthday earlier this month, Emilia shared a heartbreaking Instagram video <\/a>about navigating her grief. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just going to tell you little tips or anything that helps you getting through anybody you love passing,\u201d the pre-teen said while wearing James\u2019 hat, reminding those watching \u201cto talk to [the deceased] and let your emotions out.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you miss them, you can cry,\u201d she continued. \u201cYou can talk to them. I talk to my dad every day. \u2026 I just tell him about my day, how I\u2019m feeling and I tell my family how I\u2019m doing. And I know he can hear me, but I can\u2019t hear him.\u201d<\/p>\n Elsewhere in the video, the 10-year-old noted that her late father is \u201cin a good place\u201d and he\u2019s \u201cnot in pain anymore, he\u2019s in heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n Emilia concluded by declaring she \u201cstill has to believe in miracles.\u201d<\/p>\n She also thanked those who donated to her family\u2019s GoFundMe created by her mum\u2019s friends.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that he was a good man. A lot of people loved him and people prayed for him, and he was loved by \u2026 many, many people,\u201d Emilia gushed.<\/p>\n James died on February 11th 2026 at age 48 following an almost three-year battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cHe met his final days with courage, faith and grace,\u201d Kimberly, who married James in 2010, announced at the time. \u201cThere is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come.\u201d<\/p>\n The Varsity Blues star was diagnosed in the summer of 2023, waiting until November 2024 to go public with the news.<\/p>\n This story originally appeared on Page Six <\/a>and is republished here with permission.<\/p>\n