Hallmark alum Mary Margaret Humes just showed how special her onscreen son, James Van Der Beek, was to her. In honor of Van Der Beek’s birthday, Humes took to social media to post a touching birthday tribute.
The “Two Tickets to Paradise” Hallmark star played mom to Van Der Beek’s Dawson in the iconic series “Dawson’s Creek.” Van Der Beek died on February 11 after battling colorectal cancer.
Loved ones of Van Der Beek, who starred in Hallmark’s “Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle,” celebrated what would have been his 49th birthday on March 8.
Humes had started a sweet tradition for Van Der Beek’s birthday that she continued even now after his death. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, post an adorable video via her Instagram Stories that captured the tradition.
Mary Margaret Humes Continued Her Birthday Cookie Tradition
Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram Story showed that she gathered the kids around a table outdoors that had a package sitting on it. She asked the kids who it was from and what it was. They excitedly replied the package was filled with cookies from Humes.
A card on the package read, “Goodbyes are only for those who loves with their eyes. For those who love with the heart and soul … there is no such thing as separation,” a quote that Humes attributed to Rumi. She added, “Happy Birthday Kiddo … I love you. Mama M.M.”
Humes reshared Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram Story via her own Stories. In addition, she posted a screenshot of the note she’d included with the cookies. She included a note on one her posts indicating that the Van Der Beeks were her “Forever family.”
Another Instagram post and matching Instagram Story showed Humes with the family over the years. Some of the snapshots went all the way back to when Van Der Beek was on “Dancing with the Stars.” On her Instagram Story, she wrote, “Sending birthday wishes throughout the universe. We love you beyond words.”
In her Instagram post caption, Humes shared, “You are never more than a thought away … Happy Birthday James … #familyfirst #foreverfriends.”
Fans flooded Humes with loving responses to her post. Many added their own birthday wishes for Van Der Beek.
“Happy heavenly birthday beautiful soul. We love and remember you today and always James. Your light will never dim,” one fan wrote.
Another fan added, “Love you continue your birthday cookie delivery!”
The Hallmark Star Started the Tradition After Van Der Beek’s Mother Died
The birthday cookies hold a lot of meaning for Humes and the Van Der Beek family. Humes has been sending them since 2020, after his own mother died, Van Der Beek previously shared.
In an Instagram post shared after his 47th birthday, Van Der Beek raved over the cookies and Humes.
He gushed, “It doesn’t matter that I’m now older than she was when we first worked together, or that I’ve moved to Texas. She bakes them, and finds me, and does it from the bottom of her heart – and it always warms mine.”
