Mark was born to Jon Valve and an unnamed mother in 1967. Life in the Valve household was actually rather peaceful. Along with his father and his brother Connor, he would travel to towns such as Ludendorff to hunt for animals, which his father would then sell in his butchers shop. In 1982, his older brother Connor went into military service. Initially, the family was supportive of Connor's decision. During this time, Mark worked with his parents in the butchers and restuarant business, occasionally doing other odd jobs for friends.