Sean Penn has been married twice before but feels more "informed" now, so if he were to wed Charlize Theron, he's regard it as his first.
Sean Penn and Charlize Theron
Penn - who was previously married to Madonna between 1985 and 1989 and Robin Wright for 14 years until 2010 - believes he is a more "informed" person now so if he and the South African beauty were to wed, he wouldn't think of it as his third union.
He said: "You say I've been married twice before but I've been married under circumstances where I was less informed than I am today, so I wouldn't even consider a third marriage, I'd consider it a first marriage on its own terms if I got married again. I mean, I like the tradition."
And the 54-year-old star admits he is surprised to have found love again later in life.
He told Britain's Esquire magazine: "I'm surprised to be in love. Lots of reasons. 53 years old [when we got together] plus finally beginning to figure out why you haven't been happy in a single relationship? It could seem too late.
"To run into somebody now who you care about is a much passionate, deeper, truer and -- God! -- a much happier feeling. It's a lot more romantic and a lot more fulfilling to be in a relationship and to think you're a good person within it."
Though the couple haven't confirmed reports they are engaged, Sean admits he wants to marry Charlize, whose son Jackson, three, he is said to be in the process of adopting.
He said: "Yes, I'd get married again. I'm in love with a woman and home is where the heart is, right?"
While the 'Tree of Life' star would consider a marriage to Charlize his first, he remains on good terms with Madonna, but suggested things are not as cordial with Robin, the mother of his kids Dylan, 23, and Hopper, 21.
He said: "I'm very friendly with my first ex-wife. I would say that I'm on extremely good terms with the children I share with my second ex-wife."
Tagged in Sean Penn