Celebrity Parents James Van Der Beek Pens 9th Birthday Tribute to Daughter Annabel: 'Keep Shining, Kid' "I knew you were different the moment you came out," Van Der Beek wrote, in a sweet note to his birthday girl By Glenn Garner Glenn Garner Instagram Twitter Glenn Garner is a Writer/Reporter who works heavily with PEOPLE's Movies and TV verticals. Since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in journalism and photography, he got his professional start at OUT Magazine, The Advocate and Teen Vogue, and he's since consistently kept his finger on the pulse of the LGBTQ community. His first book The Guncle Guide was released in 2020 and was featured on Katie Couric's list of 100 recommended books of the year. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 27, 2023 10:50 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: james van der beek/instagram James Van Der Beek is in awe of his children. The Dawson's Creek alum, 45, paid tribute to his and wife Kimberly Van Der Beek's daughter Annabel Leah on Friday for her 9th birthday, sharing some sweet photos of him and the birthday girl posing together and making silly faces. "9 years old today. 9 years of getting to live in the same house with sweet, loving kindness personified," he started in the caption. "I knew you were different the moment you came out…and since then, you've known you will always win a 'Make Dad Laugh' competition, no matter my mood." James Van Der Beek Appreciates 'the Miracle That Is This Very Moment' as His Family Looks Ahead to 2023 "Sensitive people can be a bit more vulnerable to what this world throws at them, but may you always find refuge inside that beautiful, soft heart of yours," he continued. "Fully confident that gift of your presence is enough to offer joy to whomever is near - IF people are open. If they're not…it's their loss, not yours." "Keep shining, kid. Keep dancing, keep laughing, and keep expressing every feeling as it comes up for you. We're here for ALL of it. I love you," added Van Der Beek. James Van Der Beek Shares Photo of Son Jeremiah, 13 Months, Sitting Between Family Dogs In addition to Annabel, he and Kimberly, 40, also share daughters Olivia, 12, Emilia, 6½, and Gwendolyn, 4½, as well as sons Joshua, 10½, and 15-month-old Jeremiah. The couple tied the knot in August 2010. Van Der Beek announced amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that he and his family were making the move to Texas from Los Angeles, after suffering their second miscarriage and the death of his mother, as well as other unfortunate circumstances. RELATED VIDEO: James Van Der Beek Says Being a 'Girl Dad' Has Given Him 'Liberation from Limited Belief Systems' "All of that led to some drastic changes in our lives, and dreams, and priorities... and landed us here. Overflowing with profound gratitude today," Van Der Beek wrote during their move.