Don’t be fooled by the rocks that I got. I’m still, I’m still Jenny from the block. Used to have a little, now I have a lot. No matter where I go, I know where I came from (from the Bronx!)
Not my words, of course, but the lyrical musings of Jennifer Lopez in her seminal 2002 smash hit.
Some sixteen years later, and Lopez remains just as humble if not more, choosing to value a relaxed and romantic private life above the smokescreen of showbiz. And good on her.
Recently, she’s been celebrating her 49th birthday in the Bahamas with boyfriend, Alex Rodriquez, and their friends and family.
The singer was seen posing with bottles of champagne for the ‘Gram, showing off her remarkably toned body:
‘Current birthday situation… yup’, Lopez captioned the shot of her, as well as her nearest and dearest.
Former pro baseball player Alex began dating Lopez in early 2017. In a touching birthday message he said:
I hope today we can give you all the happiness you deserve.
By the looks of it, he is, surprising her with breakfast in bed, all the classic alpha male moves which wipe the floor with any man under the age of 33.
ICYMI, Lopez flippantly said last week, all men were useless until they hit 33.
As someone who’s experienced in the art of relationships – having been in long-term relationships with the likes of P Diddy and Ben Affleck – as well as three marriages, I suppose Lopez would know a thing or two about finding the ideal man…
In a video series created by Tinder, dubbed Swipe Sessions, Jennifer Lopez played matchmaker for a singleton and passed on some sage life advice.
In response to a pretty douchey Tinder bio about not keeping ketchup in the fridge, the singer said: ‘Guys, until they’re 33, are really useless.’
While it seems like a generalisation on those of us younger than 33, there’s a hint of truth to Lopez’s statement.
Speaking to INSIDER, Dr Jane Greer, a New York-based relationship expert ,and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship, claims:
It can take men into their early 30s to establish their professional career and feel a sense of financial stability, which helps them feel more secure in life.
As a result, this can give them the maturity that comes with accomplishment, experience, and success.
Of course, the theory doesn’t apply to all men in their 20s, there are plenty of cases where men within that age bracket mature personally and professionally.
It does, however, offer an insight as to why most men are not ready to commit to a full-time relationship until they’re near their 30s.
Greer goes on to explain:
Sometimes you see a guy who’s been in several relationships but then, in his early 30s, suddenly he meets a woman and is ready to marry her.
In social circles, the idea of commitment is often joked about, particularly among young bachelors and bachelorettes. There’s this idea that ‘settling down’ is the death knell for romance. It’s why a lot of people are quick to label themselves as ‘commitment-phobic’.
But according to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), it’s a recognised condition known as ‘sarmassophobia’.
Speaking to UNILAD, relationship therapist, and accredited BACP member, Cate Campbell, explained ‘sarmassophobia’:
Basically, sometimes people have an aversion or fear of romantic physical intimacy – this isn’t necessarily a fear of intercourse but of kissing and cuddling; what some people might call foreplay.
It’s also sometimes used to refer to a fear of dating, though it seems to be the consequences of dating (touch) which are the problem.
Wow, got a bit deep there. Veered off in a totally different direction.
Anyway, happy birthday J-Lo!
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