Since James Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, much of the public spotlight has been on the GoFundMe that was set up to help his family with their finances. Not much is known about James’ final days, but social media posts and pictures indicate that many of his friends visited him recently to say their goodbyes. On Tuesday, James’ wife of 15 years, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared a little bit more about what they were up to over the last few weeks. In an exclusive statement given to People, Kimberly revealed that she and James renewed their vows before he passed. They were able to quickly put a bedside ceremony together with the help of family and friends.
”We decided two days beforehand and our friends got us new rings, filled our bedroom with flowers and candles and we renewed our vows from bed,” Kimberly tells PEOPLE, adding that the ceremony was “simple and beautiful and moving.”
They had their family and a few close friends in attendance. One friend, Instrumentalist Poranguí, played the “most beautiful music” and closed the ceremony with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as additional friends looked on over Zoom.
The Dawson’s Creek alum and Kimberly married on Aug. 1, 2010, in Tel Aviv, Israel.
James and Kimberly first crossed paths on a trip to Israel in 2009. A year later, they returned to the Middle East to say “I do.”
James reflected on their big day for their 13th wedding anniversary on Instagram, writing at the time that Kimberly had a dream of a man who would officiate their wedding on a specific date. As luck would have it, he was available that night to marry them “in the basement of the Kabbalah Centre in Tel Aviv.”
“We rushed to get ready, had a bunch of people we didn’t know (and a few we did) dance around us, got ambushed by Israeli paparazzi afterwards, then ate at an outdoor Lebanese dive with plastic tablecloths and chairs and amazing food… and we were off,” James said. “We’ve gone through success, tragedy, joy, stress, triumph, uncertainty, and through it all… these have been the best years of my life. Every moment. Because I have the BEST adventure partner. Our life is CRAZY right now. We might be crazier. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Renewing their vows like that must have been such an emotional moment, especially with a loved one playing live music. I’m glad that they had the opportunity to do it. I know it’s none of my business, but putting together that ceremony in just two days makes me wonder how much time James had from when he stopped treatments until his passing. I hope he was able to settle any unfinished business and made the most of that time with his six children. My heart breaks for them in all of this.
It was also really nice of James’ and Kimberly’s friends to help them put together a last-minute vow renewal ceremony. Between this gesture, setting up the GoFundMe, and all of the personal tributes on social media, they have an incredible support system.
photos via Instagram and credit Avalon.red
Well, a deathbed vow renewal does sound poignant and intimate, which makes me wonder why she shared it with People magazine.
I don’t understand. Is it to keep attention on him?
Honestly, she probably got paid for it… the mag would have paid up for the “exclusive”
I’m with you, this is bordering on grief porn, at this point. Maybe just let a moment where you reaffirmed your vows to your dying spouse be between the two of you, and your loved ones. It feels performative when anyone shares this level of end of life detail.