Valerie Bertinelli has always been a charming presence on and off the screen, beloved for her down-to-earth personality and her honest approach to life. Over the years, many fans have watched her navigate the ups and downs of love and loss with grace, and her recent announcements have only endeared her more to those who admire her resilience. For a long time, Valerie made it clear that she was off the market, moving forward from past heartbreaks and focusing on her own happiness. But now, she’s sharing a different story—one of renewed hope and love, sparked by an unexpected new relationship that seems to have caught many by surprise.

It all started with a simple Instagram post last Friday, where Valerie posted a selfie with lyrics from Taylor Swift’s “So High School.” It’s a song about a new romance, reportedly about Swift’s current boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the lyrics she chose perfectly capture the feelings of infatuation and happiness. The caption read, “I’ll drink what you think and I’m high from smokin’ your jokes all damn night,” a playful, flirtatious line that suggests she’s found someone who makes her feel alive again. People immediately took notice, sparking whispers and congratulations from fans and friends alike.

This post wasn’t made in isolation; it came nearly two years after her divorce from her longtime husband, Tom Vitale, and four years after the passing of her first husband, legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Those past losses left deep marks on Valerie’s heart, and she’s been open about the pain of those experiences in her interviews, her books, and her social media posts. But lately, she seemed to be embracing a new chapter—one filled with light, laughter, and newfound love. And her followers were thrilled to see her so visibly happy again.

The mystery of her new beau was soon solved when Entertainment Tonight reported that her new partner is a writer named Mike Goodnough, affectionately known in some circles as the “Hoarse Whisperer.” Just a few weeks prior, Valerie teased her fans with a comment to USA TODAY, saying, “I’ve met someone,” and adding that she was “really appreciative” of him. She acknowledged that this was unlike any connection she’d experienced before, describing it as something special and rare. She also hinted at her feelings with a heartfelt line: “I feel so fortunate to have met him, and I don’t want to give away too much. I was going to die really happy, surrounded by my six cats and dog.”

Getting more open about their relationship, Mike Goodnough took to his own platform—his Substack—to finally confirm what many had hoped for: yes, they’re together. In a humorous and endearing essay titled “Rumors, Rumors, Rumors…,” Goodnough detailed how he asked Valerie if there was any truth to the speculation. He playfully admitted that he reached out to her in a “reporterly voice,” asking if she wanted to comment on whether she was dating him. Her response, he revealed, was simple and to the point: “Yes, I am. You are my partner in life.” It was a moment of genuine joy, shared in a way that felt authentic and heartfelt.

Valerie’s openness about her journey has not been limited to her romance. Recently, she opened up in her new cookbook, “Indulge,” which was published in April. In it, she reflected on her past marriage to Eddie Van Halen, saying, “Ed and I never stopped loving each other, even though we got divorced.” Her words revealed a tenderness and vulnerability that many of her fans deeply appreciate. She added that, “Who knows, if not for cancer, we might have had a second wind,” a wistful comment that underscores the complexities of life and love, and the chance for hope amid loss. She emphasized that those thoughts are “wistful thinking,” but it’s a testament to her honest, reflective nature.

The story of how she came to follow Mike Goodnough on social media also offers insight into her journey. Around 2016 or 2017, Valerie began following him, and he reciprocated the gesture in 2018. Over time, they gradually built a connection, exchanging messages here and there. After her divorce from Tom Vitale in 2022, those messages grew more meaningful, and their friendship blossomed into something more substantial. Valerie openly describes Mike as “a really super funny, incredibly talented writer,” someone who has brought light into her life when she needed it most.

This month, Valerie finally confirmed what many had suspected for some time—that she’s in love. When she told PEOPLE Magazine, “I’m in love,” her voice carried a mixture of excitement and disbelief. She admitted, “I swear I would never fall in love again, so it’s a seesaw of feelings”—a perfectly human confession that resonated with her fans. For her, this new relationship feels like a second chance, an opportunity to experience love with honesty and.