It’s been nearly a decade since Marc Anthony and J.Lo announced their separation. While Marc and Jennifer have both moved on romantically, their unwavering commitment to peacefully co-parenting their two children is admirable.

The celebrity news cycle moves quickly, but the former couple made enough ripples over the years that most people still remember their courtship and marriage. The two worked together when she co-starred in the music video for one of his songs. They began to collaborate professionally when they recorded the duet, “No Me Ames”, for her album, "On The 6". They enjoyed a brief romantic fling as her first marriage came to an end, but she soon began dating Sean Combs.

They clearly still had a connection and began dating again in the early 2000s. Soon enough, they began to make headlines together again. Talent, good looks, and fame inspired the paparazzi to follow them as they enjoyed a lengthy and meaningful relationship together. While they're no longer a romantic couple, they are friends.

Today, let’s look at 20 things everyone forgot about J.Lo and Marc Anthony.

20 They Were Relationship Goals

Two attractive and talented people in love. What’s not to like about this couple? It appeared that they were fated to be together following several failed relationships. The way that these two looked at each other lovingly was amazing, whether they were arm in arm on the red carpet, performing duets, or spotted hanging out. It was hard not to swoon over their romance.

19 Their Secret Wedding Ceremony

While their romance was somewhat on again-off again, the two tied the knot during a secret wedding ceremony at J.Lo’s home. The wedding took place in the summer of 2004. This happened six months after they reunited as a couple.

While they never opted for a big announcement about their wedding, it didn’t take long for the paparazzi to notice that the pair were suddenly wearing matching rings.

18 Musical Collaborations

The first time the world got to see the newlyweds perform onstage, side by side, was during 2005. This marked the beginning of a beautiful working relationship.

J.Lo said of the opportunity to work with Anthony, “I was such a huge fan of his music in Spanish, (that she suggested) maybe we should do something in Spanish, I just love your music.”

17 Two Latin Lovers

While J.Lo and Marc Anthony had no combination name, like her previous 'Bennifer' connection, people loved the pair together and respected them for representing Latin music in the mainstream. The two were strong together and they're strong apart. They continuing to work together amicably, post-breakup, and this sets a positive example for anyone who has to work with an ex.

16 The Confusing Nickname

He’s never revealed the origin of this nickname, but the first time Marc Anthony shared this affectionate moniker for J.Lo was in the liner notes for his album, "Amar Sin Mentiras". Lola is what he called (and may still call) the singer. This showed the closeness they have for one another. There was no need for them to explain anything to anyone else.

15 Both Divorcees

J.Lo and Marc Anthony started their relationship after both went through several rough and public breakups. Lopez had previously been married to Ojani Noa and engaged to both her back-up dancer, Cris Judd, and Ben Affleck.

Anthony had previously been married to Dayanara Torres and romantically involved with actor Mira Sorvino.

These public relationships didn't go the distance, so they were eventually free to move forward together.

14 A Decade Of Romance?

Marc Anthony and J.Lo didn't quite make it to the one decade mark, but they did stay married for seven years before splitting up. J.Lo told W Magazine, “I hung in there for seven years. I knew very quickly that it wasn’t the right thing.”

Another quote from Lopez involved her saying that dancers make for better partners in bed. She noted, “Dancers! Musicians are too self-absorbed. They are too concerned with themselves to be great in bed.”

We don’t know what that means, considering she is a dancer and a musician.

13 Pushing Each Other Professionally

While celebs may put on a confident front, many are still riddled with insecurities. Many managers and agents tell their clients what they want to hear or pressure them to change.

J.Lo says that Marc Anthony boosted her confidence while encouraging her to bring her best. She said, “While I was married to Marc, he really helped me with my confidence, and he saw where I suffered."

Anthony told JLo, “You’re a great singer. Don’t ever let anybody tell you you’re not a great singer, and I respected him so much because I consider him one of the best singers of all time.”

12 The Bond That Will Tie Them Together Forever

Statistics say that parents of multiples have higher divorce rates than those who don't have twins. This fate was true for J.Lo and Anthony, who welcomed their boy/girl twins, Max and Emme, in 2008.

Lopez has talked about needing to take a break from the spotlight after becoming a mom: “Once I did the tour, I really just wanted to shut it down, and since then I’ve had to do three things, including a video. It may not sound like a lot, but you know, at this point, any woman can sympathize. It is a lot. I was ready just to sit.”

11 Lessons Learned Together

Collaborating on a Spanish album together helped heal some of the wounds of their separation and divorce.

J.Lo said: “It actually repaired certain parts of our relationship that had been fractured from our marriage and our divorce and it made us friends again because when we first started working together, it’s how we met… we met working. And so, we remembered that, like, oh right, we connect on this level of music.”

10 The Thing About Twins And Divorce

Psychologists agree that staying together for the sake of the kids is rarely the right thing to do. Lopez says that she and Marc's love for their twins never faltered. Mom and dad worked hard to give them love as they ended their marriage.

J.Lo said, “And for us, it’s like we love those kids so much. We want them to be healthy, full of love, that they can have their own lives, and can accomplish anything. We know that begins with us.”

9 Why They Aren't Together

It took a while for the celebs to dish on their breakup, but considering their fame and the fact that their children were involved, the former couple eventually became quite open about why things didn’t work out.

US Magazine reported what J.Lo said on The View, in a candid interview, “There’s a reason we’re not together, but we’re great friends. And we’re parents together. We’re even working on a Spanish album together. [And] that has been even better for us. We met working, and that’s where we’re really magical, when we’re on stage together, and so we leave it there. That’s it.”

8 Who Got Custody

In 2014, as the divorce was finalized (this process took two years), the couple decided that Lopez would keep primary custody of the kids. Anthony sealed off their divorce by marrying model, Shannon de Lima, almost immediately after the divorce was official.

Anthony isn’t just a dad to his kids with J.Lo - he has six children. Anthony said of maintaining a relationship with his children, “I try to make the effort to see all my kids during breaks as much as possible. Thank God all my children know that their father doesn’t have the 9 to 5 grind…They understand that my work takes me away from home for long periods of time.”

7 The Kiss At The Latin Grammys

People began talking when Lopez and Anthony reunited professionally to work on a Spanish language album. More eyebrows were raised when they performed together at a Hilary Clinton Fundraiser. People were really whispering when they sealed a performance together at the Latin Grammys with a kiss.

Shortly after, Anthony announced his divorce from his model wife, whom he’d married in 2014.

6 Cooperating As Co-Parents

Ending a relationship, even when it’s the right thing to do, isn’t easy. In her memoir, Lopez described her 'a-ha' moment.

She wrote, "It was one of those moments when you're so scared you can't even scream - a blur of fear and panic. I looked at [my manager Benny Medina] and my mother and blurted out the words: 'I don't think I can be with Marc anymore.' Then I burst into tears."

By moving through this, Anthony and Lopez have become an admirable team.

5 On Her Engagement

Some people say that they saw the chemistry between J.Lo and her now-fiancé, Alex Rodriguez, while she was still with Anthony. In retrospect, this meeting looked like a lot more than a standard meet and greet.

Today, Anthony, Lopez, and Rodriguez proudly share moments together to support their children in everything they do. No hard feelings! When asked about whether he was happy about J.Lo's engagement, Oprah Magazine reported that Anthony said, “Yes, of course I am!”

4 Divorce Goals?

While the press initially suggested that Anthony had been the one to break up their marriage, because of infidelity with Jada Pinkett-Smith (and affairs with other less-famous people), Anthony wanted to set things straight in an interview. He claims the end of their marriage wasn't because of “some(thing) sensationalistic happening.”

Today, Lopez, Anthony, and A-Rod can be seen on social media, sharing time together and genuinely enjoying each other. They are real grown-ups who have put past misgivings aside.

3 Facing 50 Fierce?

She recently celebrated turning the big 50 and it’s apparent that J.Lo has taken good care of herself.

Lopez said, "I feel like I’m 25 again - it’s so funny and I know a lot of people feel the same way when they turn 50, but I don’t know, I feel young and with enough energy to accomplish whatever I want and I still have a long life ahead of me.”

2 Their Other Exes

While there have been other notable exes, it’s their children that have kept Anthony and Lopez tied to each other. In her time post-Anthony (and pre-A-Rod), J.Lo has been romantically tied to Casper Smart and Drake.

Post-divorce, in 2016, Marc Anthony remains tied to his long-term girlfriend. She is a model named Mariana Downing.

1 What's Next?

As J.Lo prepares for her wedding, it seems like Mark and Jennifer Lopez are content to enjoy their family together. During an interview on Live With Kelly, Lopez said of her ex, “I think we’re really good the way we are. Honestly, we’re always gonna be great friends. I’m always gonna be there for him, he’s always gonna be there for me.”

Sources: People, Who Dated Who, In Style, US Hola, Pop Culture, Breaking News

Next: The Highs And Lows Of Jennifer Lopez's Career, In 20 Pictures