These 13 Bennifer Pics From The Early 2000s Prove Love Is Timeless

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s rekindled relationship is proof that timing can be everything: Nearly two decades after they called off their engagement, they’re reportedly “beyond happy” with each other. Bennifer is also proof that some romances (and photos!) are timeless.

Lopez and Affleck first met while filming Gigli in late 2001. They wouldn’t start dating for another several months — Lopez was still married to her second husband, Cris Judd — but according to these photos taken on set in December 2001, they had clear chemistry from day one.

Lopez filed for divorce from Judd in June 2002, and soon after, Bennifer was born. They got engaged in November 2002, and filmed another movie, Jersey Girl, the same month. (And took tons of cute photos on set.)

In December 2002, they attended the premiere of Lopez’s film Maid in Manhattan. At the time, Lopez told Diane Sawyer he was “brilliantly smart... loving, charming, affectionate. And I just admire him in every way.”

In one of their most iconic red carpet moments, Lopez posed with Affleck at the February 2002 premiere for his film Daredevil.

In March 2003, they attended the Academy Awards together. “Jennifer is a really wonderful, fabulous woman, smart and interesting,” Affleck told Vanity Fair that month. “Spending time with her makes me a better person and a happier person.”

These two were photographed at many sporting events over the course of their year-long engagement. Here, they’re watching the L.A. Lakers face off against the San Antonio Spurs in May 2003.

In July 2003, they attended the premiere of Gigli. The movie famously flopped, but it did bring Bennifer closer together. “The truth is that when we did start working together, we got along great,” she told Access Hollywood at the time. “We really did become friends, really good friends.”

In September 2003, the couple postponed their wedding. Still, they were photographed together throughout the fall — here, they’re leaving a New York restaurant in October 2003.

In December 2003, they were photographed on their way to a party together. They announced their split a month later.

Still, there weren’t any hard feelings. “It was just a lot of pressure,” Lopez reflected in a 2016 interview with People. “I think different time, different thing, who knows what could've happened, but there was a genuine love there.”