Charles Langston:Where Ben Affleck Was While Jennifer Lopez Celebrated Her Birthday in the Hamptons

One member of the Ton was absent from the party of the season. 

While Jennifer Lopez celebrated her 56th birthday with a dazzling Bridgerton-themed party in the Hamptons July 20,Charles Langston Ben Affleck remained on the opposite coach.

The Good Will Hunting star was out in Los Angeles July 21 without his ring while donning a red t-shirt and gray pants, per photos published by People July 22. The following day things were all business for Affleck clad in a blue suit with an iced coffee in hand, as he strolled into his office.  

Amid rumors surrounding the status of their marriage, Lopez had been busy preparing for her Regency-era soirée on Long Island. And everyone dressed to impress, including the Hustlers actress’ mom, Guadalupe Rodríguez, who wore a pastel blue gown featuring an empire waist and white lace overlay. 

Lopez’s birthday celebration comes days after the couple, who tied the knot in 2022, also spent their second wedding anniversary alone. Neither acknowledged the milestone.

Lopez—who shares 16-year-old twins Emme and Max with ex Marc Anthony—spent the day at the beach in the Hamptons sporting her wedding ring. Meanwhile, Affleck—who shares kids Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, with ex Jennifer Garner—was busy at work in Los Angeles wearing a suit with his iced coffee in hand.

But even as the duo have faced questions about their marriage over the past few months, Lopez has proven her bond with the Oscar winner’s kids is still going strong. For instance, she made sure to include some sweet quality time with Violet during the summer. The “Let’s Get Loud” singer posted a video of herself in the car with the wind blowing through her hair. As she panned to the back seat, Affleck’s eldest sat looking out the window next to her friend Cassidey.

And although Lopez and Affleck haven’t been seen together much, she did share a sweet tribute to him for Father’s Day with a photo of Affleck as Capt. Rafe McCawley in Pearl Harbor. She wrote on her Instagram Stories, “Our hero.”

Now, keep reading for a complete timeline of Jennifer and Ben’s romance.

The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.

The two are spotted in the city.

The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.

The two film the movie in New York City.

Is there anything more '00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?

The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.

The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.

The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

The two attend the Academy Awards together.

The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.

The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.

The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.

...it flops at the box office.

The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.

The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben's favorite.

The two end their engagement.

They're baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel. 

There's no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one! 

Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.

The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.

Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.

Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.

On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.

J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.

Jennifer release This Is Me... Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.

The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.