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With the season winding down, Jennifer Aniston took a moment to reflect on her summer, posting a carousel of 18 candid snaps on Instagram that showed her at work, in the gym and hanging out with close friends Sandra Bullock, Sean Hayes and Adam Sandler. But it was the second to last frame that had fans doing a double take. The photo appeared to show her new boyfriend, Jim Curtis, looking out at the water as the sun set, marking the 49-year-old’s hypnotist’s first-ever appearance on her account. “You think we wouldn’t notice photo number 17???” one commenter teased of his sly debut on the grid.
It was a bold move for the notoriously private 56-year-old to give fans even a small glimpse into her blossoming romance with the hypnotherapist. And it’s a sign that the two are getting serious. “She’s usually so careful when it comes to posting stuff,” a source tells Star, adding, “Friends are thrilled she’s found someone who makes her happy.” Another sign: Though she and Jim have only been dating for a few months, Jen’s new man has already become fully integrated into her life. In July, the pair jetted off to Mallorca, Spain, for a luxe yacht vacation with her pals. They’ve also been on double dates with Jason Bateman and his wife, Amanda Anka, as well as her Friends costar Courteney Cox and her longtime partner, Johnny McDaid. Says the source: “Jim’s blended in well with them and fits into her life so perfectly.”
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Cosmic Bond
The pair apparently first clicked when Jen enlisted Jim to help her deal with her fear of flying. (She later shared books he’d written on her feed.) The former Wall Street trader turned wellness coach is super into spirituality, as is the Morning Show star. “That was the initial draw,” says the source. “Some people might listen to what Jim says about ‘upgrading your I AM’ and think it’s gibberish, but Jen gets it. She’s all about healing and crystals. She keeps them around the house and feels the power they release.” Jen’s also into meditation and mantras, which is something Jim promotes the power of on his own Instagram. “A lot of Jen’s exes weren’t into spirituality and that was a sore point for her,” the source says. “But Jim is someone she can talk to about this stuff and learn from.” Even Bethenny Frankel, who dated the life coach a decade or so ago, can tell the two are a perfect match. “I’m happy for her,” the Real Housewives alum, 54, shared on her podcast Just B With Bethenny Frankel, adding that her ex’s “earthiness” complements Jen’s “earthy, mellow side.”
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Another thing that separates Jim from Jen’s past partners is that, unlike Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux, he isn’t involved in the Hollywood scene. “Jen wasn’t too keen on dating another actor, considering how her other relationships fared,” dishes the source. “It’s not something she was looking for. So, meeting Jim at this point in her life was like a small miracle.” Even more miraculous, Jim is not jealous of or intimidated by her career. He accompanied Jen to the season 4 premiere of The Morning Show in NYC Sept. 9, for example, but opted to stand to the side as she posed for photos on the red carpet with costars Billy Crudup, Reese Witherspoon and Mark Duplass. “He’s not a part of the spotlight, he doesn’t seek it,” notes the source. “He has his own social media following but it’s about helping people to find peace in their lives, not seeking attention.” In other words, “Jim is a rare find.”
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Aligned Future
There’s a lot of pressure that comes with dating in the public eye, but Jen and Jim seem determined to make this work. Though they live on opposite sides of the country, the bi-coastal couple isn’t letting the long distance get between them. “Jim’s been to Jen’s place in L.A. and Jen’s spending more time in New York,” shares the source (in July, he listed his $1.25 million apartment for rent). “You could say they’re almost living together.” Jen isn’t stressed or worried about things moving too fast, adds the source. “The relationship seems like the most natural thing in the world. Jen’s so happy in Jim’s company. He’s the most selfless human being she’s known, and it’s easier for her to be herself around him.” Nevertheless, “Jen realizes it’s still early days and everything is always great in the beginning,” the source admits. “Time will tell her if this one is for keeps.”