James Van Der Beek Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Sweet Post

James Van Der Beek celebrated his tenth wedding anniversary to his wife Kimberly Brooke on August 1. He honored Kimberly in such a sweet heartfelt tribute. The Dancing with the Stars alum started his post saying, “Ten years ago today this woman made me the happiest I’d ever been.”

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James’s Moment

Van Der Beek talked about meeting Kimberly for the first time, but it was not exactly the “meet cute” people might expect. James had divorced his first wife, Heather McComb in 2010, and he was on a trip to Israel when he said he had a revelation.

“A year prior to that, I’d been famous, been wealthy, been married, been divorced, been less-than-wealthy, been single… and I was in Israel, on a trip with an organized group, when it hit me: I was done being single. I wanted a real relationship.”

James continues his story, saying he was in the middle of explaining his life-altering revelation to a friend when someone rudely interrupted him. He said, “I was annoyed. Who the hell was stepping all over my moment?” The person wanted to ask his friend a question while James was talking. But this very rude individual turned out to be none other than Kimberly.

The Rest is Almost History

Van Der Beek hits the high points in their courtship very eloquently and concisely.

“Three days later, I asked her what she was looking for in a relationship. Her answer: “I’m not looking for a relationship.” Six months later we were living together. Two weeks after that we were pregnant, and almost exactly one year to the date after she’d first interrupted me […] we were married.”

James knew what he wanted out of life ten years ago when he had his revelation in Israel. He wanted, “A soul mate. Someone with whom I could build a family.” And James and Kimberly have done just that. They have been married for ten years, have five children, shared the highs and lows of life and all James wants is more time with Kimberly.

Marriage Isn’t Easy But It’s Worth It

This year has not been an easy one for the Van Der Beek Family. Kimberly suffered a miscarriage in June of this year, and this is their fifth miscarriage. This loss was particularly frightening for James because Kimberly had to be hospitalized and needed several blood transfusions to save her life. This miscarriage also came on the heels of a previous miscarriage in November of 2019.

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James and his family experienced further loss when his mother died in July. These losses can break most people. But James has used his Instagram platform to show how his family is healing. He said, “This marriage has demanded I be more present, more honest, more authentic, more open, more patient, more passionate, daring, capable, fun, and vulnerable than I’ve ever been.”

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The Dawson’s Creek actor praised his wife further in the post. He said, “Kimberly, you astound me. Your bravery, your tenderness, and your unwillingness to settle for anything less than what can and ought to be…. You’re the best human I know.” James gushed that through it all and into the future that Kimberly is “who I want by my side.” Van Der Beek called his marriage a partnership where he is still earning Kimberly every day, and he is looking forward to “earning” her for years to come.