Her poem "The Antique Shop" has been online for over five years. Inspired by a vacation in her hometown, she wrote it after visiting a local antique shop that sparked vivid memories. In March 2004, Valerie won a prize for this poem at the International Society of Poets Convention in Orlando, where she connected with poets from around the world. Her love for poetry and fellow poets has since deepened. Her first poetry collection, also titled "The Antique Shop," features many more poems, eagerly waiting to be discovered.