James Van Der Beek Wishes Son Jeremiah Happy 4th Birthday: 'An Iron Will Combined with an Innate Sweetness'

James Van Der Beek is celebrating his son Jeremiah's fourth birthday.

James, 48, shared a heartfelt tribute to his youngest son on social media on Friday, Oct. 10. "4 years old today," the

Dawson's Creek alum wrote. "After 2 late-term losses, we thought we were done. Thank God you knew better." Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly experienced two pregnancy losses in seven months — one of which occurred when she 17 weeks pregnant in 2020.

The actor went on to describe the little one's growing personality. "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," James continued.

He went on to joke that his youngest son has always been "particular."

"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," James elaborated. "And for that example, I thank you."

Jeremiah Van Der Beek's son Jeremiah.

James Van Der Beek/Facebook

James, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year, then wrote about how he has balanced fatherhood with undergoing cancer treatment.

"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," James continued.

Kimberly and Jeremiah Van Der Beek.

James Van Der Beek/Facebook

The actor then joked, "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,'" he concluded the message, including photos of himself and Jeremiah playing outside, and photos of Kimberly snuggling with their youngest child.

James shares six children with wife Kimberly, 43 — Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 4.

9-1-1 Season 9 Paves The Way For Athena's Perfect Exit After Bobby’s Death

In a subtle move, 9-1-1 season 9 clears the path for Athena to leave the show not long after Bobby's death. Still reeling from losing Peter Krause's character, the 118 attempts to move on with their beloved captain. The

9-1-1 season 9 premiere, "Eat the Rich" catches viewers up on how the characters are holding up after losing Bobby.

9-1-1 season 9, episode 1 is a solid introduction to a new era for the procedural. An ambitious, if not a tad ridiculous, coupled with several character-driven moments, "Eat the Rich" is just about the best one can hope for in terms of a comeback for a show that underwent a massive change.

Among all the main characters in 9-1-1 season 9, Athena has the most interesting storyline. That says a lot, considering that the episode also teases Buck's true feelings for Eddie and Chimney's road to fully replacing Bobby, while Hen is set to go to space. However, the Athena-focused plots also pave the way for her departure from the show.

The FBI Offers Athena A Way Out In 9-1-1 Season 9

While the rest of the 118, alongside May, Harry, Maddie, Karen, and even Sue, attend the memorial service for Bobby at the station,

Athena is noticeably absent. Apparently, something very important has come up that she's missing the event. It's eventually revealed that she's undercover for a case that the LAPD has been working on for months now. Unfortunately, her efforts are wasted when the FBI swoops in and blows her cover.

In the precinct, Athena's superior calls her out for using work as a coping mechanism for her grief — something that May and Harry back up when they confront their mother for disappearing after Bobby's death. Considering everything that she has been through, it's difficult to blame her for wanting to run away from the pain of losing her husband. However, to be able to have a fresh start, changing her environment is her best option.

For what it's worth, Athena has long outgrown her role in the LAPD. She is more than qualified to join the FBI, if she wants to. This narrative route offers

9-1-1 an easy and, more importantly, understandable way to write out the character.

How Athena Can Remain Tied To 9-1-1 Despite Angela Bassett's Possible Exit

Athena transferring to FBI doesn't mean that she will no longer have any presence in

9-1-1. Perhaps it could simply be a way for Bassett to step down as a series regular. As a network show, the filming schedule for the procedural is rigorous, and since she's also a movie star, it could help her explore other opportunities.

In the event, however, that Athena is fully written out of 9-1-1, her legacy will live through May and Harry, who will both have a big season ahead of them. In the premiere, it's revealed that

May is about to finish college while Harry dropped out of high school. Chances are that both of these stories are setting up their long-term future in the procedural.

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