Jennifer Aniston has fanned the fire of her first love in a desperate bid for happiness. But while she's enjoying the reunion, his marriage lies in ruins.

Jen has embarked on a shocking secret relationship with her first true love, former fiance Tate Donovan.

The Marley & Me star called up the handsome actor for the first time in years back in early January, and they soon began talking regularly again on the phone.

That led to them arranging to meet at a party thrown by mutual friends - and from there the pair quickly rediscovered and reignited the mutual attraction that had first brought them together 13 years ago.

There's only one heart-wrenching problem with this modern fairytale - Tate married Corinne Kingsbury three years ago. But with Jen back on the scene, it seems his marriage was destined to fall apart, and now the man who many of Jen's oldest friends regard as being her soulmate is back by the Hollywood pin-up's side.

His friends insist that nothing physical happened between Jen and Tate until after he told his wife their marriage was over - although he has still not filed for divorce.

But that will just be a matter of time, according to those who know him best. One of Tate's best mates tells New Idea:
'Jen was not the only girlfriend Tate ever had, but she was the only girl he ever loved.

'When he got together with his wife a lot of the guys were thinking: "This will never work when you're so obviously still in love with Jen."

'But I guess back then he figured that Jen was married to Brad and he had lost her forever - and that he had to move on the best he could.

'But once Jen got back in touch and told him she wanted to give it another shot, Tate's life was turned upside down,' his
pal adds. 'There was never any doubt he would agree to try again - she's the love of his life and they belong together.'
Jen and Tate are trying desperately to keep their stunning reconciliation a secret, but New Idea has learnt they've already enjoyed a string of romantic dates, including two dinner parties at the house of a close mutual friend.

One of the actress' closest confidantes tells New Idea: 'Jen spent a lot of time soul-searching at the end of last year and
she was determined to concentrate on her personal life in 2008.
‘She kept saying to us: "Why can't I find another man like Tate?" Someone strong and confident but without the arrogance and vanity of Brad Pitt. Someone who's funny and outgoing
but more mature than Vince Vaughn.

'Then one day it hit her like a ton of bricks - and she stopped looking for a man like Tate and decided to go after Tate himself.'
Her pal says they only broke up the first time because their careers forced them to spend so much time apart.

'Then, before they had a chance to mend their relationship, Jen met Brad,' the pal explains. 'I think she let her lust for Brad blind her from making what was the right decision.

'I can tell you that I'm not the only one who's delighted to see Jen and Tate back together. They were meant for each other - always have been.'

Unfortunately, not everyone is so thrilled by Jen's new love affair.

One source close to Tate's wife Corinne hit out at the 39-year-old superstar, saying: 'If anyone in the world knows what it feels like to lose a husband to another woman, then it's Jennifer Aniston.

'If it turns out she and Tate had something going on before he decided to leave Corinne, then that would make her the biggest hypocrite in the world!'

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