:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/james-van-der-beek-jeremiah-2-101025-e116f85e9aa040fba6b251b09963cdc3.jpg)
NEED TO KNOW
- James Van Der Beek shared a heartfelt social media post in honor of his son Jeremiah’s fourth birthday
- In the post, Van Der Beek reflected on his son’s birth a year after his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek experienced two back-to-back miscarriages
- He also wrote about being a father while undergoing cancer treatment: “I’m sorry there have been spells where I couldn’t be the father I would want to be for you… where I was too weak to pick you up, throw you around, or even put you to bed,” the actor shared
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, Oct. 10. “4 years old today,” the Dawson’s Creek alum wrote. “After 2 late-term losses, we thought we were done. Thank God you knew better.” Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly experienced two pregnancy losses in seven months — one of which occurred when she 17 weeks pregnant in 2020.
The actor went on to describe the little one’s growing personality. “An iron will combined with an innate sweetness. And ALL boy. And as you run around and scream and bang 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 “particular.”
“And as your language skills have finally caught up the specificity of your desires, what I’m seeing is a fun-loving, passionate soul who doesn’t think twice about speaking up for exactly what he wants,” James elaborated. “And for that example, I thank you.”
James Van Der Beek/Facebook
James, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year, then wrote about how he has balanced fatherhood with undergoing cancer treatment.
“I’m sorry there have been spells where I couldn’t be the father I would want to be for you… where I was too weak to pick you up, throw you around, or even put you to bed… but 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 then joked, “And even though you’re stingy with the hugs… when you do decide to wrap those thick little arms around my neck, it’s like time has stood still and all is right with the world.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I love you, bubba. And I always will. And all you ever have to do is be you. Happy birthday, my ‘big little boy,'” he concluded the message, including photos of himself and Jeremiah playing outside, and photos of Kimberly snuggling with their youngest child.
James shares six children with wife Kimberly, 43 — Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 4.
