"I want to remind you that it's not just about romantic love but also about the love we have for ourselves," she said.
Self-love is in the air for Valerie Bertinelli as she celebrated her first Valentine's Day following her divorce from Tom Vitale which was finalized late last year. She posted a tender message of love with her fans on February 14. In an Instagram Story, Bertinelli reposted a post by author Nanea Hoffman, who operates the account @SweatpantsAndCoffee, per PEOPLE. "Just a reminder that you experience love every single day if you're paying attention," Hoffman's words read. "It doesn't have to be chocolates and flowers and a fancy dinner with a partner. Love is when you get lost in something that lights you up."
The post concluded on a somber note, adding, "You love and are loved every day," along with additional novel definitions of love. The words "feel my hugs" were written in a gif that Bertinelli shared with the post. Bertinelli also opened up in another Instagram post, where she shared what the day means to her. "As we celebrate this day of love, I want to remind you that it's not just about romantic love but also about the love we have for ourselves and those around us. So, whether you're cuddled up with a loved one, enjoying a fun night out with friends, or simply spending some quality time with yourself, make sure to spread the warmth and laughter," she shared. She proceeded to add a special message of love to the singles on this day of love, adding that "a pizza is a perfectly acceptable Valentine too."
Bertinelli's relationships have previously been very abusive, she shared, adding that emotional abuse is not something that is easy to identify but hurts equally. “Hidden bruises are something that emotional, verbal, mental abuse do to you that people can’t see,” she continued, per TODAY. “But we kind of deal with them every day when they’re activated. I’m so grateful that the work I’m doing on healing is working.” Six months after requesting a formal separation from Vitale in November 2021, the actress filed for divorce from him in May 2022. She announced on Twitter in November 2022 that she was commemorating the "second best day of my life," the day she and Vitale were legally divorced. Before this, she spent the period between 1981 and 2007 married to the late Eddie Van Halen, per PEOPLE.
The Hot in Cleveland star has been transparent on social media about her healing process and the damage from previous relationships. She most recently talked about "finding texts" and past experiences with being branded "fat and lazy".
"I have been screamed at so many times and told how fat and lazy I am," Bertinelli said in an Instagram video, per PEOPLE. "I realize…that was someone just projecting on me whatever they needed to project on me, but my part in all of it was believing it, and I don't believe it anymore. But it still doesn't stop the feelings from coming up and the hurt." According to Bertinelli, she is recuperating through "journaling, therapy, and especially humor."
References:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqVEJpvUiF/?hl=en
https://www.today.com/health/mind-body/valerie-bertinelli-opens-healing-emotional-trauma-rcna70415
https://people.com/food/valerie-bertinelli-recalls-finding-texts-being-called-fat-lazy/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Dave Kotinsky
