They’ve been friends for years, and after confirming they were an item, everyone’s been talking about Charlize Theron and Sean Penn. The 38 year old actress, who graces the June cover of US Vogue, has revealed how the relationship was a slow burner, but has developed into a loving, trusting relationship: "I really didn't see it coming. Sean and I have known each other for 18 years. We were just really good friends. And, it's been slow going because you are aware that you could screw that up and lose it. We had to think about it. But, at the end of the day, it was somewhat effortless. “It just kind of naturally happened, and before I knew it, I was in something that was making my life better - the people who really love me can see the effect it has had on me.” Despite the relationship going smoothly so far, Theron is aware that it is a real effort to keep parts of her life private: "Look, we're dating, and I don't think we were trying to hide anything. We were photographed; the relationship was kind of written about. I recently did a daylong press junket, which I hadn't done in forever, and it's a harsh reminder that whatever people try to hide a press junket behind, it's really a roundabout way of getting at as much private sh*t as they can. It was all about what I like to eat and avoiding questions about Sean or my son." One thing the Monster star is happy to confirm is that she has no plans to take a trip down the aisle. Speaking in her interview, she revealed: "I never had the dream of the white dress. And, watching other people getting married? I think it's beautiful for them, but to be quite honest, usually I'm sitting there just devastated. "It's supposed to be this night of celebrating love, and all you see is a couple separated all night making sure everybody else is okay. It just looks like a lot of work. And, as you get older, you start sifting through the stuff that really matters." The couple have been dating the past four months.