Hey there, friends! If you’ve been following Valerie Bertinelli’s journey, you know she’s been through her fair share of ups and downs. But today, she’s sharing something really special: her first Instagram photo with her new boyfriend, Mike Goodnough. It’s a heartwarming moment that shows just how far she’s come in her personal life.
First Photo Together: A Sweet Moment
Valerie and Mike made their official debut in a selfie posted on April 20, and let me tell you, it’s absolutely adorable. The Hot in Cleveland star beamed with joy in the snap, showing off a smile that lights up the screen. This photo came just a few days after Mike confirmed their relationship on his Substack, "Hoarse Whisperings." It’s like they couldn’t wait to share their happiness with the world.
In his April 17 post, Mike wrote, “I am Valerie Bertinelli’s boyfriend … and that may well be among the most surreal sentences I’ve ever pecked out.” He went on to say, “But it’s true … and nothing about our actual relationship seems surreal. It just seems … good … lucky … a gift.” Wow, talk about heartfelt! You can really feel the connection between them in his words.
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Mike’s Words Resonate Deeply
Mike’s Substack post didn’t stop at just confirming the relationship. He continued, “Life is crazy, kids. It just is. It’ll rain hellfire down on you for years and bring you to your knees … and then it’ll open the skies to deep blue and love and calling someone ‘Honey’ because you just love the absolute hell out of her and feel so very thankful for the gift of that feeling, the gift of her.” Talk about a beautifully honest reflection on life and love.
Valerie’s Journey to Love
Back in March, Valerie first opened up about her blossoming relationship, but she didn’t reveal Mike’s identity right away. What was clear from the start, though, was the depth of her feelings for him. “I’m in love,” she told People. “It’s a seesaw of emotions because I was adamant I was never falling in love again.”
The former Food Network star shared that she met Mike online. “I found joy first, and then a man entered my life,” she explained. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the best things come when you least expect them.
A Look Back at Valerie’s Past
For those who don’t know, Valerie shares a son, Wolfgang Van Halen, with her late ex-husband Eddie Van Halen. She married her second husband, Tom Vitale, in 2011, but their relationship ended in divorce in 2022 after a legal separation in 2021. Now, she’s embracing a new chapter with Mike.
The “Three-Week Rule”: Keeping the Spark Alive
Despite the distance between them, Valerie and Mike have a clever way of staying connected. They follow what they call the “three-week rule,” meaning they never go more than three weeks without seeing each other. “After all, it’s about finding the joy in life and sharing it,” Valerie said. That’s some serious dedication to their relationship.
As for the future, Valerie hasn’t ruled out the possibility of moving closer to Mike. “She’s not talking marriage, not yet anyway, but she is considering moving closer to him,” an insider told Closer. While California holds a special place in her heart, a home on the East Coast could make things a lot easier for the couple.
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