Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez haven't officially confirmed their status the Hollywood way, but it's pretty obvious that they're together — and thinking about long-term plans. Not only is Jennifer rumored to be moving to Los Angeles to be closer to Ben, but they were spotted kissing recently.
Not only did they kiss, but they did it in front of J.Lo's kids. The two chose to have dinner at Nobu for Jennifer's sister's birthday, which means that twins Max and Emme were also invited. That's when they chose to kiss, and it was caught on camera.
People reports the event as being a "family dinner." But it wasn't private. Someone who worked at Nobu talked to People about what went on, and were very polite in regards to the couples' privacy. "They enjoyed a Sunday family dinner together," the source said, adding that it was a "small birthday celebration," where "everyone seemed great and had fun."
Aside from a very sweet kiss — which many surrounding fans happened to catch — the insider from Nobu also said that they were affectionate throughout the whole meal. "Jen and Ben sat next to each other and were very affectionate," the person said. "They held hands under the table."
Of course, fans were very curious about one thing in particular — how was Ben around Jen's twins, Max and Emme? Ben has three children of his own, so hopefully he knew the best way to talk to kids. But it's also very important for the twins to accept him. After all, if the kids don't like Ben, that'll make the arrangement even more difficult.
Because Max and Emme are teens, the pressure is even greater. They never knew Ben when he and Jennifer dated. That's because they were born after Jennifer and Ben broke up in 2004. So while this is a repeat experience for their fans, it's a new experience altogether for Max and Emme.
"Ben and her kids seemed comfortable together," the source told People. "The kids kept chatting with Ben. Ben seemed great. He was smiling and laughing. They ordered a lot of food to share. Ben had a Diet Coke." That means that it looks like the kids are happy that mom's happy.
That said, some of Jennifer's fans are worried that she's moving a little fast. While that may seem like the case, none of us really know about what happened at the end of her romance and engagement to Alex Rodriguez. But, it's clear as day that she's all smiles with Ben, just like she was back in 2003.
It's also important to realize that Ben and Jen may have put most of the work into their relationship back in 2003. The two of them were ready to get married, but the tabloids and exposure became too much. Now with a bit more experience and maturity, it seems like they can easily pick up exactly where they left off. And, that's a sign that there's true chemistry and love between the two of them. Not all relationships need to be difficult to maintain.
An insider revealed to People that Jennifer's mom was also a big fan of Ben from back in the day, and is overjoyed that the two have found each other once again. "In the past, Jennifer's mom and Ben were very close. Guadalupe [Rodríguez] loved Ben," the source said.
"She was sad when they couldn't work things out years ago," the source continued. "She is thrilled that they are back together now." Her mom's approval also means a lot. We don't know what Guadalupe had to say about Alex Rodriguez, but it seems like the family isn't necessarily mourning the end of the relationship whatsoever. Since there were rumors of Alex cheating, Guadalupe's joy makes more sense. No mom wants to see their daughter hurt that way.
"Jennifer is very close with her mom. It's very important to her that the person she is with, gets along with her mom," sources admit. "Jennifer loves that Ben and Guadalupe hung out in Las Vegas. They both love gambling and had fun together at the Wynn hotel." Having her mom's approval is definitely huge, meaning that this isn't just a casual fling.
So far, it's unclear as to what Ben's own children think of his new relationship, but supposedly ex-wife Jennifer Garner is on board. It's been years since their divorce, and the two have already moved on. According to Us Weekly, his ex-wife is very happy that Ben's happy. And, that means that it's likely that the kids are also accepting this big change.
"J.Lo has Jennifer Garner's seal of approval," a source told the publication. "J.Lo thinks Jennifer is a kind and wonderful person and an amazing mother." And, she definitely is. Jennifer Garner has proven to be a solid partner to Ben, even just in a coparenting role. It seems like absolutely everyone in their lives is rooting for these two to make it work this time around.
