Valerie Bertinelli has always been more than just a familiar face on television. She has been a constant presence in the lives of millions, admired not only for her acting talent but also for her warmth, honesty, and the way she has allowed the public into her personal journey.

Over the decades, fans have celebrated her triumphs and supported her through heartbreak. In recent years, much of that heartbreak has been very public. From the end of her long marriage to Tom Vitale to the devastating loss of her first husband, the legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen,

Valerie’s story has often been marked by grief. She was candid about her pain, unflinching in sharing the depth of her struggles, and open in expressing her determination to find peace on her own terms. For a time, she seemed content to let romance remain in her past, pouring her energy into her work, her family, and her beloved pets. But life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.

Earlier this year, Valerie dropped a hint that immediately sent her fans into a frenzy. On Instagram, she shared a selfie paired with lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song “So High School.” The words she chose — “I’ll drink what you think and I’m high from smokin’ your jokes all damn night” — carried a lighthearted and flirtatious energy that felt unlike the Valerie her followers had seen in recent years. The message suggested something had shifted.

There was a new spark, a playfulness, a joy that people quickly picked up on. Within hours, the comments section was filled with encouragement, speculation, and excitement. After everything she had endured, her supporters were thrilled at the thought that she might have found happiness again.

That happiness was not a fantasy. It was real, and it came in the form of a man named Mike Goodnough, a writer known by some as the “Hoarse Whisperer.” Entertainment Tonight confirmed the rumors shortly after Valerie’s Instagram post, and it didn’t take long before the story spread across media outlets. Valerie herself had already teased the news in an interview with USA Today, casually admitting,

“I’ve met someone,” before adding how deeply appreciative she was of him. She spoke with a sincerity that made it clear this connection was something rare and meaningful. She explained that she felt lucky just to have met him, admitting with a laugh that she once expected to spend the rest of her life happily surrounded only by her six cats and her dog.

Mike Goodnough eventually addressed the relationship on his own platform, a Substack newsletter where he often writes with humor and heart. In an essay titled “Rumors, Rumors, Rumors…” he described the moment he jokingly asked Valerie if she wanted to confirm the speculation about them. “Is it true you’re dating me?” he recalled asking, putting on a mock reporter’s tone. Valerie’s answer was simple and genuine:

“Yes, I am. You are my partner in life.” For both of them, it was a moment that crystallized the truth of their bond — this wasn’t just a fling or a casual romance. It was a partnership, something grounded in authenticity.

For Valerie, this chapter represents a profound shift. Her memoirs and interviews have long revealed the enduring love she carried for Eddie Van Halen, even after their divorce. In her cookbook Indulge, published in April, she reflected on that relationship with both tenderness and honesty.

“Ed and I never stopped loving each other, even though we got divorced,” she wrote. She even admitted that, had cancer not intervened, they might have had a second chance together. Those reflections show how deeply Valerie has always cherished love, even as she acknowledged its complexities. That same openness is evident in the way she now speaks about Mike — cautious, but hopeful, grateful, and full of wonder that life still has new surprises to offer.

The roots of her relationship with Mike go back several years. Around 2016 or 2017, Valerie began following him on social media, appreciating his wit and insight. In 2018, he followed her back. At first, it was nothing more than the casual interactions of two people in the digital age. But after her painful divorce in 2022, their exchanges grew deeper. Conversations became more meaningful, and a friendship began to blossom. In time, that friendship transformed into something more — a relationship that Valerie now describes with joy. She has called Mike “a really super funny, incredibly talented writer,” but the words don’t quite capture the full warmth in her voice when she speaks about him.

When she finally confirmed her relationship publicly, her words carried both excitement and disbelief. “I’m in love,” she told People magazine, confessing that she had once sworn she would never fall in love again. Her description of the experience as a “seesaw of feelings” resonated with anyone who has ever been surprised by love later in life — a mix of vulnerability, wonder, and fear. Yet her happiness is unmistakable. After years of pain, she has found companionship, laughter, and comfort again.

Fans have embraced this news wholeheartedly. For many, Valerie represents resilience — the ability to endure heartache and still remain open to joy. Her story is not just about a celebrity finding love. It is about the courage to start over, the willingness to embrace life even when it doesn’t unfold the way we imagined, and the reminder that love can arrive at any stage of life. Valerie’s journey is a testament to the idea that healing is possible, and that even after immense loss, happiness can re-enter our lives in unexpected ways.

Today, Valerie Bertinelli stands as a woman who has lived through extraordinary highs and heartbreaking lows, who has known both lifelong love and devastating grief, and who is now savoring the sweetness of a new romance. At 63, she is proving that it’s never too late to be surprised by love, never too late to laugh like a teenager again, never too late to feel the thrill of possibility. She once thought her story would end quietly, surrounded only by her pets. Instead, life handed her a new chapter, and she has chosen to embrace it fully.

For Valerie’s fans, her happiness is contagious. The smile in her Instagram photos, the lighthearted captions, the playful public admissions — they all tell the story of a woman who has stepped into a brighter season of her life. And for Valerie herself, it seems this love is not just about romance. It’s about renewal, resilience, and the beauty of discovering, after everything, that life still has gifts to give.