Emilia Van Der Beek's Emotional Birthday Message for Late Father James
In a poignant tribute, nine-year-old Emilia Van Der Beek has shared a deeply moving video message honouring her late father, actor James Van Der Beek, on what would have been his 49th birthday. The heartfelt clip, posted by her mother Kimberly on Instagram Stories, offers a child's perspective on grief, loss, and healing.
A Family's Public Remembrance
Kimberly Van Der Beek explained that Emilia personally requested to create the video for public sharing. "Emilia asked me if she could make a video to post today," Kimberly wrote in her caption. "She walked outside and came back with this." The grieving widow also shared numerous photographs and videos of James, expressing her desire to continuously watch footage of him with their children.
"James... We will celebrate March 8th every day for the rest of our lives," Kimberly vowed in her emotional post, referring to her husband's birthday date.
Emilia's Profound Advice on Processing Loss
In the video, Emilia introduces herself and offers what she calls "tips" for anyone navigating the loss of a loved one. "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," the young girl advises with remarkable maturity.
She describes her daily conversations with her father: "I talk to my dad every day... I say, 'Hi dad, I miss you and I love you so much and I'll never stop loving you.' And I just tell him about my day, how I'm feeling and I tell my family how I'm feeling, and I know he can hear me, but I can't hear him."
Emilia provides comfort by sharing her belief that "my dad's in a good place. He's not in pain anymore. He's in heaven." She encourages others to embrace complex emotions: "Be happy they're in a good place. Be sad because you miss them. You can be angry, but don't blame yourself. Blaming yourself, it's not a good strategy for someone's passing."
Legacy of Hope and Personal Mementos
The young girl recalls her father's enduring message about miracles, even in the face of his terminal diagnosis. "Miracles can still happen, just later on in life," she recounts him saying. "And they'll keep coming. But maybe when you want them to come, they might not."
In a particularly touching moment, Emilia reveals she wears her father's hat in the video, which still "smells like him and I love it so much." She concludes by thanking supporters of the family's GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $2.7 million following James's passing from bowel cancer on February 11.
Celebrity Reactions and Family Background
The video prompted emotional responses from notable figures. Professional dancer Emma Slater, who partnered with James on Dancing With The Stars in 2019, wrote: "There are literally no words to express how highly I think of Emilia... I think she's the greatest role model ever."
Rumer Willis, whose father Bruce Willis lives with frontotemporal dementia, commented: "This is so profound and beautiful and such a testament to the incredible way you have raised your beautiful family." Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler added: "Thank you for sharing Emilia. You are your dad's love and legacy with your beautiful family."
James and Kimberly Van Der Beek shared six children together: Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (4). The family's public sharing of their grief process has resonated deeply with supporters worldwide, highlighting both the universality of loss and the unique ways families honour their loved ones.
