The same month they would have celebrated their 12-year wedding anniversary, Vili Fualaau -- one half of the couple whose love story captivated national audiences -- filed for legal separation from his wife and former 6th grade teacher, according to court paperwork obtained by CNN.

Mary Kay Fualaau, formerly Letourneau, was a married 34-year-old teacher and mother of four in Seattle in 1996 when she began an affair with Fualaau, her 13-year-old student. The couple is 22 years apart in age.

Mary Kay gave birth to her young lover's child before she went on to serve more than seven years in prison on charges related to their sexual relationship.

Soon after she was released from prison in 2005, the pair got married in Woodinville, WA.

It's not clear what led Fualaau to file the petition.

Whitney Gardner, attorney for Vili Fualaau, says he has no comment at this time, and requests privacy for his family.

Read more on CNN.