While we wait with bated breath for any new information on Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s whirlwind romance, the former has whet our appetites by opening up about what he hopes is in store for their future.
In a candid interview with WSJ Magazine, Affleck initially discussed his new film The Tender Bar before swiftly being questioned about his and Lopez’s rekindled romance.
Thoughtfully reflecting on his second chance with the pop star, after their initial relationship between 2002 to 2004, Affleck revealed that he hopes to remarry one day.
“Fear drove me to the work ethic,” he told the publication. “Only in the last four years have I been able to not be so terrified, because I recognise I won’t die without work.
“The most important thing is being a good father. The second most important thing is to be a good man. And a good person. And, ostensibly, you know, a good husband. Hopefully.”
However, his admission of future matrimony lead interviewer Michael Hainey to ask Affleck about Lopez and their romantic rendezvous.
“You can write conjecture about it, but one of the harder lessons that I have learned is that it’s not wise to share everything with the world,” Affleck said.
“There are some things which are private and intimate and have meaning in terms of their intimacy by dint of the fact that they’re not shared with the rest of the world.
“I’m more comfortable just learning to find a boundary between things that I want to share and things that I don’t. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. I don’t.
“I know that I feel more comfortable having those healthy boundaries in my life around which, in a friendly and straightforward way, I tell you, I just don’t want to be talking about my personal relationship in the newspaper. I’m going to exercise a little restraint.”
But the question on everyone’s lips is how their relationship restarted, which Affleck teased ever-so-slightly.
“I can say that it’s definitely beautiful to me,” he said. “And, you know, one of the things I really value across all facets of my life now is that it was handled in a way that reflected that.
“My life now reflects not just the person that I want to be, but the person that I really feel like I am—which 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 who benefits more, without going into gossipy detail.
“I could just say that I feel great about being very healthy. And it is a good story. It’s a great story. And, you know, maybe one day I’ll tell it. I’ll write it all out,” he said. “And then I’ll light it on fire.”
Of course, it can feel quite rare for a couple to have a second chance at love. And Affleck knows that, explaining that he feels lucky to have had the opportunity to try again with Lopez.
“I am very lucky in my life in that I have benefited from second chances, and I am aware that other people don’t even get first chances. I’ve had second chances in my career. I’ve had second chances as a human being.
“Life is difficult, and we are always failing and hopefully learning from those failures. The one thing you really need to avail yourself of the opportunities provided from that growth is the second chance. I’ve definitely tried to take advantage of that.
Comparing their second chance at love as a comet coming around a second time, Hainey suggests that Affleck has “gained wisdom this time,” adding that he should be “able to stand in its light and receive it in a way you couldn’t the first time”.
“So I will tell you that I very much recognise that phenomenon, and your description of it resonates with me,” Affleck responded.
“And I think it’s an apt characterisation of what can happen to you—if you learn from difficulties and if you get lucky.”
As for whether jLo has thought about a future walk down the isle—after she does so onscreen, of course—she’s stayed mum about her plans.
During an appearance on the TODAY show in November, the Hustlers star was asked about whether she’d ever get married again.
“I don’t know,” Lopez told the show’s host. “Yeah, I guess. You know me, I’m a romantic, I always have been, a few times, I still believe in happily ever after, for sure, 100%.”
There you have it, Affleck and Lopez may have kept their lips fairly sealed on the future of their relationship, but it was enough to keep us daydreaming of finding a love like theirs.
