JLo Was ‘Surprised’ to Rekindle Romance with Ben Affleck Who Felt ‘Trapped’ While Married to Jennifer Garner

When Ben Affleck got divorced from his wife Jennifer Garner, he never expected that he would get a second chance with his ex-fiancee Jennifer Lopez, but that’s precisely what happened. The two are now engaged, but they will not be having more kids.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez first met on the set of “Gigli,” a movie that saw him reprise the titular role of Larry Gigli, a mobster.

She played Ricki in the movie, and their characters fell in love at the end of the film; however, not many knew that something similar was brewing in reality.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are seen on May 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Lopez was married to her second husband, Cris Judd, at the time, so she and Affleck remained good friends; after her separation from Judd, the dynamics of their relationship changed.

According to Affleck, the announcement changed things between them and “opened doors” that had been closed to him.

He took the chance, and the two started going out low-key. Shortly after the official announcement, Lopez and Affleck went public with their blossoming relationship.

Jennifer Lopez and US actor Ben Affleck attends the red carpet of the movie “The Last Duel” during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 10, 2021 in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

The same year they made things official, Affleck went all out in proposing to Lopez. According to reports, the proposal was a traditional one that stole the singer’s breath away, and it was confirmed by the custom pink diamond ring he gave her.

As the relationship progressed, rumors started to spread about a too-close relationship between Jennifer Garner and Affleck.

In 2003, they were spotted at an event, and witnesses said they noticed a spark between them even though, at the time, the actor was engaged and Garner was married to Foley. Amid those speculations, Garner got separated from her husband.

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are seen on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

However, she did not seem too disheartened by it, and she would later admit they never had a chance. In her words, they “imploded,” but she tagged him as a “really good guy.” Almost a year after, Affleck followed her lead and ended things with Lopez.

Some years later, the singer confessed that she “lost her sense of self” during their short union, and she also added that it made her question the value she was bringing to her business.

Now free of their respective baggage, Affleck and Garner were free to do as they pleased, but they were not pictured together until the fall of 2004 when they were pictured attending the World Series as a couple.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are seen on November 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

HE FELT TRAPPED DURING THEIR MARRIAGE

In June 2005, Affleck married Garner in a private ceremony in Turks and Caicos. Six months later, they welcomed their first child together in December and named her Violet.

They added two more to their brood as the years passed; their second child, Seraphina, was born in January 2009, while their third, the only boy, arrived in February 2012.

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Violet Affleck and Samuel Affleck are seen on August 11, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

After about ten years together, the couple revealed that they had decided to separate amicably while putting their kids first. A joint statement they released read:

“We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time.”

After their divorce, Affleck revealed that he’d felt trapped in their marriage and would most likely not have stopped drinking had they remained together.

Violet Anne Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Samuel Affleck and Seraphina Affleck as seen on August 3, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

He believed that had they never split; they would eventually have been at each other’s throats, especially since the claustrophobic feeling he had been feeling was the reason behind his drinking. He said:

“Part of why I started drinking was because I was trapped. I was like, ‘I can’t leave because of my kids, but I’m not happy, what do I do?'”

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are seen with their daughter, Seraphina Affleck on February 06, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Affleck now looks back on his divorce as one of his greatest regrets, and he has admitted in the past that while he still feels guilty for his kids, he has chosen to move past it.

His remedy for dealing with the shame is to learn from what it has to teach and move forward. Perhaps that’s why he hesitated when the chance to return to Lopez, the woman he had once confessed made him a better person, presented itself.

Actress Jennifer Garner pose with children Violet Affleck, Samuel GarnerAffleck and Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck during the ceremony honoring Jennifer Garner with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on August 20, 2018 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

HE ALMOST LOST HIS CHANCE WITH LOPEZ — AGAIN

When things started to stir between Affleck and Lopez once more, the actor became bothered, and he hesitated to plunge in because he didn’t want anything that could hurt his kids.

After his marriage with Garner was dissolved in 2018, he maintained a cordial relationship with her so they could raise their kids right, and now that he had plans to move on with another woman, he had to put them first.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend The Last Duel New York Premiere on October 09, 2021 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

When he appeared on The Howard Stern show recently, he confirmed that his three kids were the reason behind his hesitation. Speaking about his doubts, he said:

“My responsibility to my children is the highest responsibility. I don’t want to do anything that is painful or destructive to them if I can help it.”

Given the circumstances surrounding Lopez and Affleck, nobody saw the rekindling of their romance coming — not even them.

American actor Ben Affleck and american actress and singer Jennifer Lopez at the 78 Venice International Film Festival 2021. | Source: Getty Images

When Lopez appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ show a couple of months ago, the show host asked her if she ever saw it coming full circle as it has, and she responded that neither of them had expected it to happen. She said:

“I don’t think anybody was more surprised than us. You never could imagine something like that could happen. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Lopez believes that theirs is a beautiful love story that was granted a second chance after getting trampled on by the media the first time around.

Now they know that they genuinely still love each other; Lopez has stated that nothing will ever be allowed to threaten the sanctity of the bond they now hold sacred.

She feels “lucky” and “happy” to be in a relationship like theirs and has proclaimed her mission to protect it no matter what.

As it is, the two stars are headed for the altar, and on the topic of having more kids, a source close to them has revealed that they have both passed that stage and are no longer interested in having new kids.

The two have their work cut out for them as they continue to blend their families. Fortunately for her, Lopez seems to be in the good graces of all three of Affleck’s kids.

She especially has a great bond with Samuel, whom she believes is very much like his father. Right now, the couple is enjoying the inner works of their families, but fans hope they can hurry it up as they have a Bennifer wedding to plan.

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