There’s a Simple Explanation Why Jennifer Aniston Forgave Brad Pitt for Breaking Her Heart

It may be impossible to forget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t forgive.

Fans are still scandalized by the epic love triangle between Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie. It’s been more than a decade since Brad Pitt left his wife to pursue his sultry co-star, but those scars still run deep. Jennifer Aniston had no idea that her marriage was on the verge of collapse just before filming for Mr. & Mrs. Smith began in 2004.

It would be understandable if Jennifer Aniston was bitter or resentful toward Pitt, Jolie, or both. But surprisingly, she’s made comments that prove she’s forgiven her ex-husband for breaking her heart and having an affair.

Here’s what she said.

The Jolie-Pitt relationship was a surprise for everyone

When Angelina Jolie met Brad Pitt, she wasn’t looking for a relationship even though she was technically single. The stunning actress had just adopted a toddler from Cambodia and was fully focused on parenting, not seeking romantic conquests. Which is good because Brad Pitt was married anyway.

But then the unexpected happened — Jolie and Pitt fell in love. Jolie later described their unlikely romance in a Vogue interview, saying: “Brad was a huge surprise to me. I think we were both the last two people who were looking for a relationship. I certainly wasn’t.”

Aniston was annoyed by comments Jolie made

Though she wound up forgiving Brad Pitt later, there was a time when Jennifer Aniston was very angry with her ex and his wife. When Jolie did an interview and described how she “couldn’t wait to get to work” while filming, Aniston came out in her own defense.

“I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn’t wait to get to work every day? That was really uncool,” Aniston said.

Aniston moved on and forgave both Pitt and Jolie

Jennifer Aniston is an outspoken lover of yoga and meditation plus is committed to her mental health. That makes her forgiving nature no surprise as it’s right in line with those activities.

In a Harper’s Bazaar interview, Aniston opened up about harnessing forgiveness instead of holding onto past resentments.

“[I’m] a forgiving person,” she explained. “I absolutely am. I think it’s extremely important to forgive. Otherwise it just builds up like toxic waste. There’s nothing worse than holding a grudge.”

“Listen, people can do unforgivable things, but you have to let it go and say, ‘Look, we’re all human beings. We make mistakes.’ To hold any kind of resentment is like taking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die.”

Pitt and Aniston are on friendly terms

Since the fateful affair, Pitt and Jolie split up in a bitter divorce and are still battling out custody of their six children. Meanwhile, Aniston married and divorced actor/producer Justin Theroux.

Now that both are single again, fans are holding onto the fantasy that they’ll try to rekindle the romance again. That seems like a stretch — but if Aniston truly forgave Pitt, then anything’s possible!