Kimberly Van Der Beek marked what would have been her 16th wedding anniversary with her late husband, James Van Der Beek, by sharing a deeply personal collection of family photographs.
The tribute came on August 1, the couple’s first wedding anniversary since James died in February following his battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“16 years ago I was the luckiest woman in the world to marry @vanderjames,” Kimberly wrote, according to People’s report on the post.
Her carousel included three photographs of the couple together and a final image showing James surrounded by their six children.
Kimberly Says James Remains Present for Their Children
View this post on Instagram
“He continues to be present and guide us,” she added. “I’m eternally grateful.” James and Kimberly shared daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
Several people close to the couple responded beneath the anniversary tribute. Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson Leery’s mother on Dawson’s Creek, wrote that James and Kimberly would forever be each other’s “always.”
Jamie-Lynn Sigler said their relationship had “set the bar” for those around them. Stacy Keibler, who previously shared that she spent time with James and his family during his final days at their Texas home, described the couple’s love as “magical” for their friends to witness.
James Thanked Kimberly on Their Final Anniversary Together
View this post on Instagram
James shared his own anniversary message on August 1, 2025, while undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer. “15 years ago today, this woman agreed to be my bride,” he wrote in the tribute covered by Us Weekly.
He called Kimberly the most extraordinary person he had ever met and credited her with supporting him through the most difficult period of his illness.
“You have not only saved my life… you’ve shown me what it is to live,” James wrote. He added that he could not have faced the previous two years without her.
They Met in Israel and Married One Year Later
James and Kimberly first met during a group trip to Israel in 2009. They returned the following year and married in Tel Aviv on August 1, 2010, during a small ceremony in the basement of the city’s Kabbalah Centre.
James later recalled that Kimberly had dreamed about the man who would officiate their wedding and the date on which it should happen. When they discovered that the officiant was available, the couple quickly organized the ceremony.
Their first child, Olivia, was born the following month. The family later welcomed Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
They Renewed Their Vows Days Before James’ Death
Kimberly later revealed that she and James renewed their wedding vows from bed only days before he died. The ceremony was organized within two days, with friends bringing new rings and filling the couple’s bedroom with flowers and candles.
“We renewed our vows from bed,” Kimberly told People, describing the gathering as simple, beautiful and moving. Family members and close friends attended in person, while others watched through Zoom.
Musician Poranguí performed during the ceremony and closed with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” James died peacefully on February 11 at age 48. In the family’s announcement, Kimberly said he faced his final days with “courage, faith and grace.”