James Van Der Beek’s 9-year-old daughter, Emilia, shared a heartbreaking video tribute to the late “Dawson’s Creek” actor on what would have been his 49th birthday.
In a post shared on her mom Kimberly’s Instagram on Sunday, Emilia kicked off her video introducing herself and noting, “As you all probably know, my dad has passed away, but I’m just going to tell you little tips or anything that helps you getting through anybody you love passing.”
She went on to say that the No. 1 thing to do is “to talk to them and let your emotions out.”
“If you miss them, you can cry. You can talk to them. 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,’” she continued.
“And I just tell him about my day, how I’m feeling and I tell my family how I’m doing. And I know he can hear me, but I can’t hear him.”
Emilia reminded those watching her that the key is to “feel them in your heart” because they’re “part of your body.” She also reflected that her dad is “in a good place” and he’s “not in pain anymore, he’s in Heaven.”
She also expressed that it’s OK to feel a range of emotions from happiness, because “they’re in a good place,” and sadness, “because you miss them,” to anger. However, one should never blame oneself because “it’s not a good strategy for someone’s passing.”
“Everybody has different emotions in their body, and they express it in different ways. Many, many different ways,” she continued. “And don’t let anybody tell you that. Be like, ‘No, you don’t know how I feel.”
Emilia also reminded that one should look at death as everything “happens for a reason” before revealing, “Something my dad told me was if this doesn’t work out the way he wanted it to and the way we wanted it to for him living, I still have to believe in miracles.”
She also told her mom’s followers that she “stole” her dad’s hat after his passing, noting, “My dad’s hat smells like him, and I love it so much.”
Concluding her video, Emilia expressed gratitude to those who had donated to her family’s GoFundMe created by her mom’s friends.
“I know that he was a good man. A lot of people loved him, and people prayed for him, and he was loved by … many, many people,” Emilia concluded in the emotional video.
When posting the clip, Kimberly explained that Emilia had asked her if she “[made] a video.”
“In my stories are a whole lot of photos and some videos. All I want to do is watch videos of him right now with the kids. Thank you for the tremendous heart, love and support for the family. 🩷🥹”
Addressing her late husband, Kimberly added, “James… We will celebrate March 8th every day for the rest of our lives.”
In the comment section, many celebs rallied around the family, with Rumer Willis writing, “This is so profound and beautiful and such a testament to the incredible way you have raised your beautiful family. Happy Birthday James. We love you.”
“You are so wise Emilia ❤️🥹🙏🏻,” Jenna Dewan praised with Rebecca Gayheart, Eric Dane’s widow, adding, “Oh wise Emilia , thank you 🙏🏽.”
James died on Feb. 11 at age 48 following a nearly three-year battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” his wife, 44, announced via Instagram at the time. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come.”
In a last effort to solidify their love, James and Kimberly renewed their vows two days before he passed.
Aside from Emilia, the couple also shares Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.
