Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez: A love story 20+ years in the making

CNN   — 

Should we really become surprised by Bennifer 2 . 0 given that Jennifer Lopez’s 2002 album, “This Is Me…Then, ” contained a heartfelt single titled, “Dear Ben”?

As Lopez and Ben Affleck are actually newlyweds, let’s take a look back the duo’s history.

December 2001

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in "Gigli."

Lopez plus Affleck met within the set of the rom-com “Gigli, ” exactly where they played crooks stuck on a job together and the pair strike up real-life companionship.

April 2002

Speculation that will Ben and Jen may be more than just buddies began after he took out a complete page ad in trade publications in order to both promote their own film and compliment her performance.

“It has been nothing but a good honor and a pleasure to work with you, ” the ad study. “I only want I were lucky enough to be in all your films. ” Signed: “With love, respect, and gratitude, Ben Affleck. ”

July 2002

Lopez and Chris Judd file for divorce during the summer season of 2002 , but have apparently been split for a bit by then.

“Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd have announced they have got resolved all issues arising out of their own marriage, ” the couple’s lawyers say a statement at the time. “The quality was extremely amicable … The two will stay friends. ”

August 2002

Paparazzi photos started circulating of Lopez and Affleck smooching.

November 2002

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck on set for a music video for "Jenny From the Block" in 2002.

The couple obtain engaged after Affleck pops the question with a magnificent, custom 6. 1-carat pink diamond ring from Harry Winston.

He also shows up as Lopez’s like interest in the music video for her single “Jenny From the Block, ” the storyline which takes on the paparazzi treatment of their connection.

In the video, Affleck – literally – kisses her popular booty in a scene of the couple on a yacht.

March 2003

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the Academy Awards in 2003.

Lopez plus Affleck make a stunning pair on the red carpet at the 75th Annual Academy Honours.

Come july 1st 2003

The particular couple attend the premiere of their “Gigli” film, which ultimately bombs at the box office.

September 2003

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the premiere of "Gigli" in 2003.

Days prior to the pair are started wed, they delay their nuptials and release the following declaration:

“Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have chose to postpone the day. When we found ourself seriously contemplating employing three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, all of us realized that something had been awry. We started to feel that the spirit of what must have been the happiest day of our lifestyles could be compromised. We felt what must have been a happy and sacred day time could be spoiled for all of us, our families plus our friends. ”

Sources informed CNN at the time that the couple was “taking a break. ”

January 2004

The particular duo officially called off their wedding and split.

March 2005

Another film in which the two costarred together, “Jersey Girl, ” is released plus underwhelms at the package office.

June 2004

Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony leave the Jennifer Lopez Fall 2005 show during Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park February 11, 2005 in New York City.

Lopez wedded friend, singer Marc Anthony, with who she shares twins – a boy and a daughter.

Within her 2014 book, “True Love, ” Lopez reportedly wrote that the end of her relationship with Affleck has been her first “real heartbreak” and “Marc came back into my entire life three days after I should have been in the altar saying ‘I do’ to another guy. ”

June 2005

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner in 2014.

A year later on, Affleck married celebrity Jennifer Garner within a private ceremony. They go on to have 3 children together.

July 2011

Fans are stunned when Lopez and Anthony announce they are separating. He filed designed for divorce in Apr 2012.

Come july 1st 2015

There’s a lot more shock when Produce and Affleck announce their split. Their particular public divorce filing came two years later.

“They remain friends and continue to co-parent their 3 kids amicably, ” a source close to the few told CNN at the time. “They had constantly planned to divorce but just needed time. As always, youngsters are their 1st priority. ”

March 2019

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez attend Jennifer Lopez's MTV VMA's Vanguard Award Celebration at Beauty & Essex on August 21, 2018.

Lopez and former baseball player Alex Rodriguez turn out to be engaged, two years after they began dating and two decades after she signed a poster for the self-avowed Lopez fan.

February 2020

Ben Affleck in "The Way Back."

Affleck raved about Lopez to CNN whilst promoting his film, “The Way Back. ”

He said he has no regrets regarding making “Gigli” due to the fact “I made a great friendship with Jennifer Lopez, who I believe is a fabulous person and I’m therefore excited for her continued success. ”

“I don’t think the girl always got the respect that the girl deserved, in part, due to the fact she was an effective woman, ” he or she said. “And also because she was obviously a Latina and she really was groundbreaking and no one wanted to acknowledge that. They just wanted to kind of hate, therefore it’s nice to see her having the current acceptance. ”

March 2021

Several confusion as Lopez and Rodriguez reportedly split , only to say days later in a statement that they were still a couple after all.

April 2021

Rodriguez and Lopez formally announced their wedding was called away from .

They launched the following statement.

“We have realized we are much better as friends and look forward to leftover so. We will still work together and support each other on our discussed businesses and projects. We wish the very best for each other and one another’s children. From respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is appreciate it to everyone that has sent kind words and phrases and support. ”

Soon after, Affleck was took pictures of visiting Lopez’s Los Angeles house.

July 2021

The summer warmed up after Lopez and Affleck produced their reunion and connection Instagram official.

September 2021

Paparazzi (and fans) went wild once the pair returned to the red carpet for the premiere associated with his film “The Last Duel” at the Venice Film Festival in Italy.

Dec 2021

Affleck expressed his appreciation for second chances within an interview with The Wall Street Journal, calling their and Lopez’s rekindled romance “beautiful. ”

“And, you know, one of the things I really value across all facets of my life now is that it was dealt with in a way that reflected that, ” he said. “My life right now reflects not just the individual that I want to be, however the person that I really seem like I am – that is not perfect, but somebody who tries very hard and cares very much about being honest and authentic and accountable. It’s hard to say which benefits more, with out going into gossipy details. ”

February 2022

Lopez too was apparently thrilled about their own reconciliation.

“I feel so lucky plus happy and proud to be with your pet, ” Lopez told Individuals magazine about reuniting with Affleck. “It’s a beautiful love story that people got a second possibility. ”

April 2022

The pair get engaged once again right after Affleck surprises Lopez with a proposal whilst she was in the bathtub.

July 2022

Lopez plus Affleck eloped by visiting Las Vegas with their children where they was in line with other couples to be wed in a chapel in the wilderness city.