James Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly took to Instagram on Thursday to share a rare photo of the actor with his father.
The 48-year-old former Dawson’s Creek star is currently battling stage 3 colorectal cancer.
In the image with his dad, James William Van Der Beek, he smiled brightly as his father leaned on the chair he was seated in and flashed a matching grin.
Kimberly, who wed James in 2010, captioned the image, ‘Happy day,’ and added a flower emoji.
James Sr is currently living with his son, daughter-in-law, and their six children as the family navigates the actor’s diagnosis.
In January the television star expressed gratitude for his father while paying tribute to him in a birthday post shared online.
James Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly took to Instagram on Thursday to share a rare photo of the actor with his father
James Sr is currently living with his son, daughter-in-law, and their six children as the family navigates the actor’s diagnosis
He penned a heartfelt caption that read, ‘The way you have shown up when I’ve been down and out this year — without having to ask, without the expectation of even a thank you… has not just been life-saving, but life-affirming.’
James continued, ‘Moving onto the ranch for when I’m away for treatment. Making lunches, making fires for @vanderkimberly, driving kids, even taking care of the dogs and chicken. Neither of which you ever wanted and would just as soon never had.’
The Varsity Blues star also thanked his dad for how he ‘moved through everything cancer brings up.’
The actor added: ‘I know it’s outside your comfort zone, but especially since Mom died, you have come through for me again and again and again in ways that I didn’t even know how much I needed.
‘Watching you evolve, seeing what kind of man and father you are… gives me more confidence in myself than I could ever express. I feel so proud and lucky to have come from you.’
In conclusion, he said, ‘Thank you for being the best. Ever. Period.’
Alongside the emotional caption, he shared various snapshots of his dad, including one of the proud grandfather posing with his many grandkids.
James and Kimberly share daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 11, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, four.
James, Kimberly, and James Sr pictured in an image shared by the actor earlier this year
Last week James shared new Instagram photos with his youngest child, son Jeremiah, to mark his fourth birthday
Last week James shared new Instagram photos with Jeremiah to mark his fourth birthday.
In the post he reflected on loss as he opened up about losing two late-term pregnancies before Jeremiah was born.
He wrote: ‘4 years old today. After 2 late-term losses, we thought we were done. Thank God you knew better.
‘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.
‘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.’
He continued: ‘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.
‘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.
‘I love you, bubba. And I always will. And all you ever have to do is be you. Happy birthday, my “big little boy”.❤️’