Why Jennifer Garner's latest milestone might be her most challenging yet

Jennifer Garner will ring in her 52nd birthday today, but there's a big reason why this celebration will be more emotional than years gone by.

The Alias alum tries to do something special every year to mark another year around the sun.

These celebrations often involve her family, including her three children, Samuel, 12, Fin, 15, and Violet, 18, who she shares with her ex-husband, Ben Affleck.

However, this year Jennifer will be missing someone very special. Over the Easter weekend, her beloved father, William, died at the age of 85.

This will therefore mark Jennifer's first birthday without her dad.

© Instagram

At the time, Jennifer penned a lengthy and heartfelt message about the passing of her dad and said he was "surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and—most of all—next to his wife of 59 years, our Mom." 

She said he died "peacefully," and "while there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners."

© Nathan Howard

There is no doubt that Jennifer will soldier forward with the support of her family and still cherish this birthday celebration.

Before her dad died, she opened up about her plans to give back on her big day. 

"Every year I do something for my birthday," she told People. "To me that day is like, 'Okay, how am I going to look forward this next year? How am I going to look outside of myself? How am I giving back to the world that gives me so much?'"

Last year, she planted trees with her children and guests at her 50th birthday party filled 5,000 backpacks with food to feed struggling families as part of the Blessings in a Backpack program. 

© Instagram

She also told the outlet that in addition to giving back again this year, she'll also ensure a party vibe. 

"I love to have a good time and I love to make it nice and there'll be great food and all of those things," she said while adding: "Every year there's something, like, that feeds me and that I love to just include people in.

© Getty

"And I know what I'm going to do this year and it's coming together, but I'll talk about it after."

Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S.  Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.