Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner divorce: couple keep kids away from media frenzy with vacation in the Bahamas

(REUTERS/ LUCAS JACKSON/FILES)Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck leave the Governors Ball following the 85th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California in a February 24, 2013 file photo.

To no one's surprise, divorcing couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner has set their differences aside and went off on a family vacation with their children in the Bahamas.

Affleck and Garner made the surprising announcement of their plans to divorce last week. They also mentioned that they remain on good terms and are sharing custody of their children.

The couple then jetted off to the Bahamas with their children 9-year-old Violet, six-year-old Seraphina and three-year-old Samuel.

A source close to the couple revealed that Affleck and Garner were together on the day the divorce was announced as "the family felt it was important to be together."

Rumors of an impending divorce have hounded the couple for years. But people were still shocked and saddened when the two made the announcement.

A joint statement released by the couple mentioned that they have "made the difficult decision to divorce." It also said that they are going "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."

Affleck and Garner are known for their commitment to their children, a fact that was clearly evident in the weeks leading up to the divorce. The estranged couple made it a point to spend time together with their offsprings, whether it was going to a farmer's market or shopping for toys.

Reports say the couple already made the decision to divorce months ago but waited until school ended before making the announcement in a bid to minimize the disruption to their lives.

An insider said that "it was important for both Ben and Jen to get away from the media spotlight and spend quiet time with the kids." The insider also added that the divorce is "devastating to Ben too. He loves his family and will always put them first."

A source who reportedly saw the couple on vacation described Affleck as looking "more gray than usual" while Garner appeared to be in better spirits.

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