Valerie Bertinelli Balances Busy Career with New Long-Distance Relationship

Valerie Bertinelli prioritizes time for new love interest Mike Goodnough despite demanding schedule and distance challenges.

Valerie Bertinelli, known for her acclaimed roles in "One Day at a Time" and numerous Food Network shows, has been navigating the complexities of a long-distance relationship while juggling her busy career.

In an interview with People magazine, Bertinelli revealed that maintaining her connection with writer Mike Goodnough, whom she began dating this year, has been a significant challenge due to their separate coasts.

Valerie Bertinelli Balances Busy Career with New Long-Distance Relationship

"It's been challenging," Bertinelli said. "The summer has been booked full. It is challenging."

Despite the difficulties, the couple has established a rule to meet every three weeks to foster their relationship. Bertinelli credits this commitment as a crucial factor in their bond.

Valerie Bertinelli Balances Busy Career with New Long-Distance Relationship

"We never go longer than that without seeing each other," she said. "After all, it’s about finding the joy in life and sharing it."

Goodnough, Bertinelli's first serious relationship since finalizing her divorce from Tom Vitale, has been a source of support and companionship for the actress.

Valerie Bertinelli Balances Busy Career with New Long-Distance Relationship

In a heartfelt Instagram post in June, Bertinelli expressed her gratitude for Goodnough's kindness and understanding, having experienced a challenging previous marriage.

"This man is worth fighting the rest of my demons for," she wrote. "He is the most thoughtful, kind, gentle, intelligent, funny and grateful man I’ve ever met."

Bertinelli was previously married to rock legend Eddie Van Halen from 1981 to 2007, with whom she shares a son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Their relationship ended with Van Halen's tragic passing in 2020.

While Bertinelli initially embraced sharing her new relationship on social media, she now expresses a desire for greater privacy going forward.

"A part of me is just like, it's been so public, and now I'm trying to pull back and make it so much less public and try to keep some stuff for us now," she said. "It's like, ‘Oh, but yeah, I let the cat out of the bag.' I don't know. I would like to start keeping it between us and make it a little bit more special."

Balancing her demanding career with a long-distance relationship is a testament to Bertinelli's resilience and commitment to finding love and happiness amidst life's challenges.