Jennifer Garner's loving gaze at ex Ben Affleck during family outing decoded by body language expert

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jennifer Garner is the “safe harbor” for ex-Ben Affleck amid his ongoing marital woes with his current wife Jennifer Lopez. 

The former couple and parents of three children recently met for a friendly dinner in New Haven, Connecticut on Saturday. 

The former couple, who was married for 10 years before divorcing in 2015, amicably co-parent their three children - Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12.

The couple recently gathered to send off Violet to college - who is thought to be attending Yale University, which is located in New Haven. 

Body language expert Judi James analyzed the couple’s body language as they came together for a lighthearted family gathering, and said that the ‘Dawsons Creek’ actress looked ‘proud’ of her ex-husband.

Jennifer Garner is ‘proud’ of Ben Affleck

Seeing the photos published by Daily Mail, body language expert Judi James suggested that Jennifer Garner was gazing with admiration at the ‘AIR’ star. 

Nevertheless, there is no reconciliation on the horizon for the previously married couple as Garner is in a stable relationship with her businessman boyfriend of six years, John Miller.

That, however, does not take away the fact that Affleck is “safe-harboring” with his former wife and his children amid the rumored marital woes with his current wife Jennifer Lopez. 

In fact, James suggested that Lopez’s absence seems to have exerted a positive influence on Affleck as he “seems to be "safe-harboring" here, pulling into what could seem like the safe, familiar harbor of his ex-wife and his children while his current marital problems blow over around him.”

James continued, “This is common behavior when there’s problems in a second marriage and the first family unit can suddenly seem like a comfortably familiar and seemingly non-judgmental refuge where a partner can often "be myself" more.”

“Jennifer’s body language seems to send out signals of approval and even pride in her ex Ben here,” said the expert. 

She continued, “As she watches one child talking her cheeks are rounded as she performs a beaming, dimpled smile with a narrowed, softened eye expression.”

James added, “When she turns her gaze to Ben that facial expression seems to remain the same, with none of the kind of chameleon changes to revert to anything cooler or tinged with any bitterness that you can get when exes reunite to spend time together with their kids.”

“Jennifer seems to be like-minded with Ben, suggesting they form a united bond as parents. Their body language here shows up some subliminal mirroring,” suggested the behavioral expert. 

“She also looks totally comfortable in conversation with Ben. The pair appear to chat in an engaged and relaxed way here, still chatting when the children are distracted by a phone and a menu,” she added. 

James observed that the wholesome family outing seemed to have lifted Affleck’s spirits who was looking “surly” previously. 

She explained, “The way all three gaze at Ben with expressions of non-judgmental pride, warmth and fondness here must feel like the kind of emotional "stroke" he desires right now and his own body language appears to undergo a dramatic change as a result.”

“We’ve seen him looking surly, bored, frustrated and irritable recently but here he is finally seen grinning, laughing and performing some authentic hugs on his children or engaging in what looks like some relaxed and immersive conversations,” continued James.

For the outing, Affleck opted for beige trousers paired with a grey T-shirt and an olive green overshirt. The ‘Elektra’ actress, on the other hand, opted for a similar casual look in a blue denim and striped top. 

Commenting on their outfit, James said, “Their casual outfits and their laid-back, natural vibe and his "dad" rather than "husband" role seems to suit Ben so much more right now than some of his formal and "perfect" A-list-looking poses and appearances did over the past year.”

She explained, “This doesn’t look anything like any romantic return for Ben and his ex but his children seem to provide a space where he can show affection and joke and have fun in a relaxed and playful way.”

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner split amicably

The ‘Good Will Hunting’ star and Jennifer Garner, who were married for ten years, announced their separation in 2015. and their divorce was finalized in 2018.

During their divorce, they announced in a statement, “We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time.”

It would seem the exes have upheld their promise and maintained an amicable relationship even a decade after their split and are co-parenting their three children in a healthy environment. 

Recently, Garner even went to Affleck's house to wish the actor on his birthday. Later that day, Affleck's current wife - Lopez - too went to celebrate the 'Gone Girl' actor's birthday.