For the past week, the tabloids have been circling Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner like blood-thirsty sharks in anticipation of their much rumored impending divorce—all except for People magazine who has laughably been ignoring the situation in hopes they'd get the exclusive when the pair decided to pull the trigger. And guess what? People's gambit paid off!

After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce," the couple tells PEOPLE in a joint 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. This will be our only comment on this private, family matter. Thank you for understanding."

Our condolences to Ben and Jen, and good luck with that request for privacy. Here are the couple in happier times....

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  • Courtesy 20th Century Fox

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