Well, it’s never pleasant when a couple gets divorced, but in this case, the news might be cause for celebration.
After three years of ups, downs, rehabs, relapses, marriage counseling, and accusations of nanny-banging, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have finalized their divorce.
Radar Online is reporting today that a judgment in Affleck and Garner’s court case was entered in Los Angeles Superior Court today.
Which means that for the first time since 2005, Ben and Jen are both legally single.
The emphasis here is on “legally.”
Garner is dating businessman John Miller these days, and Ben may or may not still be involved with 22-year-old Playboy model Shauna Sexton.
Not only does the selection of current partners speak volumes about the difference in personalities and priorities that likely contributed to the couple’s decision to split it also serves as a reminder of how long it’s been since these two parted ways.
When Ben and Jen separated, Obama was in office and Batman was most recently portrayed on screen by Christian Bale.
Hell, Affleck had a whole long-term relationship with Lindsay Shookus — complete with marriage rumors — between his relationships with Garner and Sexton.
Affleck has been to rehab at least twice in the time since he parted ways with Garner.
We say this not to shame the guy, but to point out that it has been a really long time since he moved out of the home he once shared with Garner.
To be fair, the process didn’t take so long simply due to indecisiveness on Ben and Jen’s parts (though there was certainly some of that.)
In fact, it had a bit to do with Affleck’s multiple rehab stints and Garner’s desire to do right by her kids.
Sources close to the former couple say Jen wanted to work out an amicable custody arrangement before finalizing the divorce but couldn’t bring herself to trust Affleck alone with the kids until he got serious about getting sober.
At some point in the past few months, he was apparently able to convince her that all is well, as Affleck filed divorce papers while still in rehab
And so ends one of the great love stories of the 21st Century.
At least Ben still has Matt Damon.
