James Van Der Beek revealed his biggest parenting regret amid his cancer battle as she shared a new reflective social media post.
The actor celebrated his son Jeremiah in a tribute post uploaded via Instagram on Friday, October 10 to mark the child’s 4th birthday, while apologizing for not being a better father amid his health struggles.
“4 years old today. After 2 late-term losses, we thought we were done. Thank God you knew better,” James, 48, wrote alongside a carousel of photos of Jeremiah, including one where the child was perched atop the actor’s shoulders.
James paid tribute to Jeremiah’s lively personality in the heartfelt post.
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“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,” he wrote. “You’ve been particular from the jump. 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. And for that example, I thank you.”
Continuing the post, the Dawson’s Creek alum then shared that he felt he hasn’t lived up to the standard of father that he believed his son deserved.
“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,” he added. “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.”
James concluded, “I love you, bubba. And I always will. And all you ever have to do is be you. Happy birthday, my ‘big little boy.’ ❤️”
Katie Holmes, who costarred alongside James in Dawson’s Creek in the 90s, reacted in the comments.
“Sooooooo sweet!!!!!!!” the actress, 46, wrote.
Jeremiah is the youngest of six kids who James shares with his wife Kimberly. The couple also share Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8 and Gwendolyn, 6. James and Kimberly have also been open in the past about suffering pregnancy losses in November 2019 and June 2020, which James referenced in the post.
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The Varsity Blues star announced in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer.
“I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he told People at the time, adding, “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
In a video interview for the outlet, James touched on the effect his diagnosis has had on his kids.
“My kids have been so supportive and so loving and so tender,” he said. “And you hate to watch them have to grow up in that way but you watch them really put you first, which, as a father, is, like, heartwarming and also devastating.”
