Emilia Van Der Beek, daughter of the late actor James Van Der Beek, shared a touching tribute to her father on what would have been his 49th birthday. In a video posted on her mother Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram account, Emilia, who is nine years old, spoke openly about her feelings and memories of her father.
In her message, Emilia explained how she maintains a connection with her father every day despite his passing. She said, “I talk to my dad every day. I start with a sentence, and I say, ‘Hi, Dad. I miss you and I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you.’” Emilia also expressed her belief that her father is in a peaceful place, saying, “I know that my dad’s in a good place. He’s not in pain anymore. He’s in heaven above the clouds with God and the Lord.”
The young girl offered advice for those coping with loss, emphasizing the importance of expressing emotions and not blaming oneself. “Everybody has different emotions in their body, and they express it in different ways,” she said. Emilia encouraged others to grieve in the manner that feels best to them.
Emilia also shared a hopeful lesson from her father, encouraging belief in miracles. “Miracles can still happen, just later on in life, and they’ll keep coming,” she remarked.
James Van Der Beek passed away on February 11 at the age of 48 after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. His family and friends have commemorated his life and legacy since his passing. Emilia’s tribute offers a personal and heartfelt perspective on grief from a young daughter remembering her father.