Jennifer Aniston may have just entered a new relationship, but for her new boyfriend Jim Curtis, it’s a love story that’s been two decades in the making.

In what fans are calling a real-life romantic comedy, sources close to the couple have revealed that Curtis — a respected screenwriter and creative director based in New York — has been quietly enamored with the Friends star for over 20 years, ever since he first saw one of her movies as a young aspiring writer.

And now, after a chance encounter and a growing connection, that longtime admiration has blossomed into a relationship that those close to Jennifer say is her “happiest and most grounded” in years.

“I Knew She Was Something Special”

According to insiders, Jim Curtis first fell for Aniston — from afar — in 2004, after seeing her in the film The Good Girl. Known for its dark humor and dramatic edge, the movie was a turning point for Jennifer’s career and showcased a very different side of her acting range.

“Jim was only in his early twenties,” a mutual friend shares. “But he always talked about The Good Girl. He said, ‘That woman can do anything. She’s heartbreak and humor in one frame.’ He followed her career from then on — not like a fanboy, but with quiet admiration.”

Though he worked behind the scenes in media and advertising, Jim never imagined his life would intersect with Aniston’s — until last year, when the two were introduced through a mutual friend at a private wellness retreat in Big Sur.

Sparks from the Start

Jennifer, 56, had just wrapped filming the latest season of The Morning Show and was taking some time off. Jim, who had just sold a creative agency and was exploring new film opportunities, wasn’t expecting to meet a Hollywood icon — let alone the woman he had admired since college.

“Jen thought he was charming but didn’t realize until a few dates in that he’d been secretly in love with her since The Good Girl,” a source close to Aniston reveals with a laugh. “She thought it was adorable. It wasn’t creepy — it was sweet and respectful.”

Jim reportedly confessed his longtime admiration during their third date, over dinner in Malibu.

“He told her, ‘You don’t know this, but you’ve been part of my creative journey for 20 years,’” the source adds. “It was a moment. Jen was touched.”

Low-Key and Loving It

The pair have been quietly dating for about six months and were recently spotted vacationing together in Tuscany. Aniston has kept the relationship largely private — a conscious choice after years of high-profile romances.

But according to those close to her, Curtis has brought something different into her life: consistency, curiosity, and calm.

“He’s not from the Hollywood scene,” one longtime friend says. “He’s grounded, incredibly thoughtful, and treats her with real respect. He doesn’t care about the spotlight — he cares about her.”

A Shared Love for Creativity

What bonds the couple, insiders say, is a shared passion for storytelling. Jim is said to be working on a script inspired by 1990s independent cinema — and Jennifer may even be considering a role.

“She’s reading it now,” a source says. “It’s still early, but they have real creative chemistry.”

The couple reportedly spend evenings discussing film, books, and ideas — not parties and premieres. “It’s what Jen has always wanted,” the friend says. “A partner, not a headline.”

Could This Be the Real Thing?

Fans have been cheering on Aniston’s new chapter, with hashtags like #JennyAndJim already making the rounds on social media.

“Honestly, if a man has loved her since The Good Girl, that’s the kind of devotion she deserves,” one fan wrote on X.

As for Jennifer, she’s not making grand declarations — but those close to her say she’s never looked more content.

“She says it feels natural. Easy. Like something that’s been waiting in the wings for years,” the insider adds. “She’s happy — and that’s all that matters.”