Here’s everything you need to know about Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s love story, from when they started dating, to their 2004 breakup, to the rekindling of their romance While the pair initially met back in 2002, their rollercoaster romance has been closely followed for 20 years — from when they first started dating to their rekindled romance in 2021. The pair initially dated for two years, stirring up a tabloid frenzy with their relationship, but eventually split in 2004. Following their breakup, both Lopez and Affleck pursued other relationships and started families of their own.