Valerie Bertinelli is feeling grateful.
During her interview on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday, Nov. 25, the Food Network alum, 64, opened up to host Barrymore about what she’d learned over the years.
Bertinelli expressed her gratitude for the lessons she had learned in the last few years when she dropped by the chat program for some Thanksgiving cooking.
“I’m really grateful for the challenges that I’ve been through because it makes this,” she said, gesticulating across the workroom, “so much more beautiful because the light really does come through when you’re in the darkness.”
“I feel like I’ve been in darkness for so long that being on this set with that gorgeous bright light is just amazing, so thank you,” the One Day at a Time alum said to cheers from the audience, as Barrymore sprang up and went to embrace her.
The Kids Baking Championship alum has already spoken openly about her divorce from ex-husband Tom Vitale in 2022, her departure from Food Network in January, and the death of her ex, Eddie Van Halen, in 2020.
Last week, she posted a lengthy message on Instagram commemorating two years after her divorce from Vitale and reminiscing on how Mike Goodnough, the writer she dated since March before their relationship ended earlier this month, according to a source, taught her to “love again.”
On November 22, 2022, she formalized her divorce from Vitale.
“Today marks two years of freedom,” the Indulge author captioned her Instagram photo on Nov. 22, before citing a slew of emotional achievements. “I spent two years wading through self-doubt and doing my best to get to the other side. I knew for two years that I didn’t deserve to put up with the unacceptable. It took me two years to overcome shame and self-loathing, and I’m still working on that aspect diligently. I have dedicated two years to uncovering my true self.”
“I finally felt love again after two years of dabbling.” “Thank you, Mike,” Bertinelli said, referencing Goodnough. “I have spent two years confronting past demons and traumas, and I am doing my best to work through them.”
Bertinelli concluded her message with some honest mental health advice.
“Most importantly, I want you to know that if you’re struggling right now, I’ve been there, and some days I can still be there, but I want you to know it does get better,” she wrote at length. “Some days will still be hard and challenging; but on other days, the light will shine brighter, and you will feel it.”
Bertinelli has been a regular guest on The Drew Barrymore Show since September, when CBS announced her role as a lifestyle expert.
“I’m going to be on The Drew Barrymore Show.” I’m going to be a part of Drew Crew, and I’m very excited about it,” she told PEOPLE about joining Barrymore’s talent group earlier this summer. “I have the utmost respect for her, and the employees are all exceedingly cool.”
