A Complete Timeline of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Relationship

Yes, it’s 2021, and Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have reunited. No, you’re not dreaming. This is real. This is happening. 

But here’s the thing—we don’t know for sure at this point whether their reconciliation is strictly platonic or romantic. Here’s what we do know, though: Lopez and Affleck were engaged in the early aughts, split up, and went on to date, marry, and divorce other people. Now they’re both single and in each other’s lives again—though the exact capacity is unclear. Until we find out more, let’s look back on how “Bennifer” formed in the first place: 

December 2001

Sparks fly between Lopez and Affleck on the set of their movie Gigli.

November 2002

Affleck pops the question to Lopez with a custom-made pink diamond solitaire engagement ring. In an interview with Diane Sawyer, Lopez gushes that Affleck is “brilliantly smart, loving, charming, and affectionate.” She adds, “I just admire him in every way.”

September 2003

Just days before they’re set to tie the knot in Santa Barbara, California, they release a statement saying they’re postponing the wedding. 

“Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date,” the statement reads. “When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, we realized that something was awry. We began to feel that the spirit of what should have been the happiest day of our lives could be compromised. We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families, and our friends.”

January 2004

Less than three months later, the wedding is off. The couple confirm their split with separate statements.