Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez started dating in early 2017. The couple has since consistently shared the sweetest parts of their love with their fans on social media. They've also given glimpses of their lives together in interviews—and there's no denying that the connection between them is real and strong, but as in any relationship, there must be ups and downs. So when we heard rumors that they had broken up, we hoped the rumors weren't true but braced ourselves for the possibility that J.Lo and A-Rod might be going their separate ways.
Well, it seems that despite going through some tough times and regardless of what "sources" have been telling the media, Jennifer and Alex are not ready to call it quits. They released a statement saying just that. "We are working through some things," the couple said in a joint statement. Only time will tell if they are able to work through whatever issues they have, but we wish them luck, because they really do seem to complement each other well. And, also, we just want Jennifer to be happy.
As spectators, we thought that Jen found someone who was an ideal match. While she has had relationships with men like Ben Affleck and Marc Anthony in the past, she has said that A-Rod is the one who was made for her. "You're like my twin soul. We're like mirror images of each other. My life is sweeter and better with you in it because you make me realize that every day the sky is not the limit," she said about the former baseball star during her speech at the 2018 Video Music Awards. "The universe is infinite and so is what we can accomplish together with love and trust and understanding." She added: "There's so much more to do, to experience, and there's no one I would rather do it with, baby. You're my macho and I love you."
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Alex, for his part, is known for screaming his love for his lady from the mountaintops. He's constantly singing her praises and saying how proud and lucky he feels to have her in his life as his partner. They're both equally driven and successful in their respective careers and extremely dedicated to raising their children. They have so much in common in terms of their upbringing and backgrounds, but it also seems like their plans for the future seem to match as well.
No one knows what the future holds, but even so, there's a lot to be learned from this couple and the relationship they've created with each other. Scroll down to take a look at the important lessons we can all learn from Alex and J.Lo.
They've taught us not to read too much into things.
On March 12, 2021, sources were confirming to outlets left and right that Jennifer and Alex were done. Right around that time, Alex posted a selfie of himself on a sailboat and captioned it: "Don’t mind me, just taking a sail-fie ⛵️." So many people took that as confirmation of the split because there he was all by himself making a bad pun. Well, soon after, the couple released a statement saying, "All the reports are inaccurate. We are working through some things." Turns out that pic with Alex by himself on a sailboat was just an excuse for him to make a bad pun and nothing more.
They've taught us to take everything with a grain of salt.
Before you hit play on the video montage set to music that Jennifer posted a couple of days after reports of her supposed breakup hit, know that it contains explicit lyrics. Jennifer seemingly posted it as a reply to all the breakup reports because she included some of the headlines in the actual video. Again, not trying to read too much into it because that's one of the things she and A-Rod have taught us, but still, she seems to be making a point with the images and the lyrics of the Saweetie song she chose to go with them. The song says:
I ain't worried 'bout a blog or a [expetive]
Speakin' on my moves like it's news, you a snitch
Every lie off your lips get me views, I admit
All my quarantine pics going up, I ain't miss
They cheer each other on in their respective careers.
Alex hasn't missed a single thing that Jen has been a part of since they first got together. He's also perfectly comfortable with sitting on the sidelines and watching his lady be the center of attention. Now that's a man!
They're not letting anyone rush them or put a time line on their relationship.
People started pressuring these two to get engaged since they first got together in 2017, but it didn't sway them to make any hasty decisions. They're going at their own pace, because real love is calm and takes its time, after all. They dodged engagement rumors, but Alex popped the question in March 2019.
We still don't have a wedding date.
They inspire one another, in and out of the gym.
It's important to know that true motivation and discipline in any area of life comes from within, but having a partner who pushes you and encourages you to be better does make a difference. J.Lo and Alex make it a point to keep each other inspired and always reaching for more, whether it's in their careers or their personal lives, or when it comes to their fitness.
It's important to laugh together and have FUN.
What's the use of being with someone who makes your life dull? Alex even captioned this shot, "You make me feel like a kid again." We've also seen them having plenty of fun with their blended family.
They learn about what's important to each other.
We've never seen J.Lo so into baseball before she started dating the former Yankees star. It's so important to learn to respect and appreciate each other's hobbies and interests in a relationship. While it's also essential to have things to do on your own, having your partner support you in the things you enjoy is so much better.
No matter how hectic life gets, they know when to step back and relax together.
Whether it's a trip to the Caribbean, a day on the beach, lounging in bed together, or a trip to Europe, the couple knows when to set work aside and spend time together. It's in those quite moments spent one on one that a couple can let their hair down and work on their intimacy.
They take great care of each other.
We all need someone in our lives who is going to keep it real. It doesn't matter who is getting ready to be in the spotlight; both of them take great care in making sure that the other person is at their best. Take, for example, when Alex was getting ready to be on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Jen made sure she put a little concealer on him to make sure he was looking good and well rested.
They're not afraid to show each other affection in public.
It is perfectly OK to show off your appreciation for your partner for the world to see. You can tell that they're absolutely enamored with one another just by the way they look at each other, even in crowded places.
They support each other's dreams and careers.
They know how demanding both of their careers can be, but they still take time to be there for one another even in the most stressful times. One night, when Jen was up late filming a music video, her beau was behind the scenes cheering her on and providing some comfort. And that's what it's all about.
They have a genuine and deep admiration for each other.
If your partner doesn't inspire you or move you to be a better you, then what's the point? When Jen was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in April 2018, Alex penned a sweet note for his girl.
"100. That’s the number of extraordinary people we honored tonight. It’s the number of times I say thank you every day for bringing this incredible partner, friend and role model into my life," he captioned this gorgeous post. "It’s the percent she gives of herself in everything she does. For you, Jennifer, and all the others who make this imperfect world better, we can expect no less from ourselves."
Always date someone you can learn from.
Since they started dating, Jen has been open about Alex not being the strongest dancer. Now if you know anything about J.Lo, it's that she loves to dance, and it's super important in her life. So Alex has been trying his best to keep up on the dance floor! On the other hand, Jen has been learning quite a lot from the business-savvy athlete, who even introduced her to one of the most successful businessmen on the planet, mogul Warren Buffett.
They both have a strong work ethic, and that makes their bond stronger.
It's important to be with someone as driven as you, so that not just one person in the relationship ever feels like they're the one who's carrying all of the financial weight. It's 2018! Women are independent and hardworking, so it makes a huge difference to have a partner who's on the same page as you.
They know that good relationships are all about timing.
Alex has opened up about how he feels Jen came into his life at the perfect time. The athlete even said that their relationship wouldn't have worked if they started dating when they were younger.
“To be honest, if this happened when we were in our 20s, it would have never happened. It was just too much craziness. I wasn’t mature enough. You know, boys, we got to get our dumbness out of the way,” he said on the Today show in August 2018. "We're in our 40s. We're both from New York. We both come from Latino backgrounds. We both have two kids. I think we've both been through a lot and can really appreciate each other–both the good and the challenges."
They know when to tune out the rest of the world and focus on one another.
They both have such hectic schedules and are constantly surrounded by people. But one lesson they've showed us time and time again is that sometimes you have to tune everything out and shift your focus onto the one who matters most.
Be with someone who always has your back and is your No. 1 supporter.
Alex has been spotted on the red carpet snapping pics of his girl on his cellphone or watching her and cheering her on from the front row at her shows. He sings her praises on Instagram for any project she works on and even calls himself her "fan boy." So cute! When Alex released his own line of baseball bats, Jen gave him a shout-out and reminded him that she is "proud of everything" he does. That's the kind of love we all deserve.
They understand that their kids are their top priority.
Dating someone when you have kids from a previous marriage can be tough. That's why finding a partner who loves and respects your kids is key for any single mom or dad. That's the case for Jen and A-Rod, who've kept their kids at the center of their relationship.
They have shown us that having a peaceful blended family IS possible.
Getting your ex and your current beau to get along is not easy, but J.Lo has somehow done it with Marc Anthony and Alex. Blending a family like they have is not easy, but it's worth it. The best part is that the kids get to enjoy their time with their dad and the rest of the family at once.
They find activities they both love doing together.
Whether it's working out, doing yoga, going out to eat, or shopping, the couple makes sure that they keep their time together fun and exciting. That's a great way to keep the spark alive in their relationship.
Sharing the same values is a must.
People who don't have the same values are bound to disagree on a lot of day-to-day things. The pair seem to share a lot of the same values when it comes to family, love, and their careers. That means that they will respect and understand each other's priorities and boundaries so they can have more harmony in their relationship.
They have shown us that there is someone out there for everyone.
Nobody is perfect, and we all have a past. It might have take a little while, but eventually they found each other. Alex was known as quite a playboy before, after multiple relationships with some Hollywood stars. Jen has been open about why she couldn't find love before she met Alex, and why her relationships failed.
"Until you learn to love yourself, you can’t completely love [someone else] in a way that is pure and true," she recently said.
