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Jennifer Aniston Just Got a Sweet Birthday Wish From This Ex

The Friends star turns 52 years old today, and her ex-husband wasn't about to miss it.

If you're in need of further proof that this former couple is on good terms, look no further. On Feb. 11, Justin Theroux wished ex-wife Jennifer Aniston a happy birthday in a post on his Instagram Story. The Leftovers actor shared a black and white photo of Aniston walking up a staircase and captioned it, "Happy birthday @jenniferaniston." He added, "[heart emoji] you B!" Theroux has called his ex-wife "B" in the past, though it's unclear why—at least, it's unclear to those of us who don't actually know them.

Since announcing their separation in 2018, Aniston and Theroux have remained friendly and supportive of each other. Read on to see how their connection continues and what they've had to say about why they ended their marriage. And for stars who hit it of at work, here are 15 Onscreen Couples You Totally Forgot Dated in Real Life.

Theroux doesn't skip a year of wishing Aniston a happy birthday.

Justin Theroux Jennifer Aniston Instagram story
justintheroux/Instagram

This Thursday, Aniston turned 52 years old, and Theroux made sure to get his well wishes out there. And this isn't the first time he's wished his ex a happy birthday on Instagram.

Last year, Theroux again posted a black and white image of Aniston on his story. This one showed her making an angry face and clenching her fists. He wrote, "Grabbing 2020 & another year like," adding again, "Happy birthday B."

In 2019, for Aniston's 50th, Theroux posted an Instagram that of the actor posing with some sort of decorative horns on her head. He wrote in the caption, "Happy Birthday to this fierce Woman. Fiercely loving. Fiercely kind. ….and fiercely funny. [heart emoji] you B."

For more former couples who are on incredibly good terms, check out 48 Celebrity Exes Who Are Best Friends Now.

They bonded over their shared love of dogs.

Jennifer Aniston and dog
Jennifer Aniston/Instagram

Aniston and Theroux shared three dogs when they were married, Dolly, Sophie, and Clyde. Sadly, Dolly, who Aniston had adopted before getting together with Theroux, passed away in the summer of 2019. Theroux shared the news on Instagram. According to E! News, the couple reunited to mourn Dolly.

E! reports that the dogs stayed with Aniston following the couple's separation. In November of 2019, Aniston shared a photo of herself walking Clyde, and Theroux commented, "Clydeooooo!!!" Theroux has gone on to adopt a new dog, named Kuma, who he posts about frequently.

For celeb pairs who have gone the distance, check out 12 Beloved Celebrity Couples, Then and Now.

They've celebrated Thanksgiving together since their split too.

Justin Theroux Friendsgiving Instagram story
justintheroux/Instagram

In 2019, Theroux attended Aniston's Friendsgiving party and shared a photo from the get-together. "Very VERY thankful for these friends and these nights," he wrote on his story, adding the hashtag "#fakesgiving." The photo features himself, Aniston, and other attendees, including Courteney Cox, Jason Bateman, and Jimmy Kimmel, squeezing in for a group selfie.

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Their separation was a "gentle" one, in Theroux's words.

Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston 2017
Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Considering that they're still on such good terms, it's perhaps no surprise that Theroux and Aniston's split wasn't overly complicated.

"The good news is that was probably the most—I'm choosing my words really carefully—it was kind of the most gentle separation, in that there was no animosity," Theroux told the New York Times in 2018. "In a weird way, just sort of navigating the inevitable perception of it is the exhausting part."

As for Aniston, she opened up about the separation with Elle magazine and explained what having a good marriage means to her.

"My marriages, they've been very successful, in [my] personal opinion," said the actor, who was also married to Brad Pitt for five years. "And when they came to an end, it was a choice that was made because we chose to be happy, and sometimes happiness didn't exist within that arrangement anymore."

She added, "When the work has been put in and it doesn't seem that there's an option of it working, that's okay. That's not a failure."

For a hilariously mortifying story that involves Theroux, check out Jennifer Aniston Says This Was Her Most Embarrassing Moment.

Lia Beck
Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more. Read more
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