“Sweetheart, c’mon, look at daddy,” I beckon lightly, snapping my fingers above my phone camera to get the little girl to actually look in my direction. It finally works and I quickly snap the photo before she looks away again.

Poor girl gets distracted so easily, and there’s a lot going on around us. Can’t even blame her.

“Alright, now one with me.” I nod, handing you the phone and switching you places. I scoop Charlotte up into my arms, blowing a little raspberry into her cheek to get her to giggle for the photo.

God, how I love my little angel.

It’s the day of my sisters wedding, the ceremony having just wrapped up, so of course she wanted my daughter in the wedding as a flower girl. I was instantly all for it, and it was quite simply the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen.

She’s only three years old, so watching her toddle down the aisle tossing flower petals everywhere? In the puffy little lilac dress and flower crown?

Yeah. Cutest thing ever.

That being said, you were also here, since you’re her mother. Obviously. And it’s not like a big deal or anything, just…you know…

We’re divorced.

We were together for roughly 4 years before getting married in 2014 when we were just 20 years old. You got pregnant not long after, gave birth in early 2015 to little Lottie, and so on.

Turns out, some people really aren’t meant to get married at 20 years old. Who knew?

Do I regret it? Absolutely not. I spent all of my teenage years with you and it’s the reason I have Charlotte. I wouldn’t change any of it.

…Well. Maybe the part where we got divorced a year ago.

Yeah. Maybe I’d change that.

Anyways!

So obviously you were invited to the wedding as well, because Charlotte was a flower girl and you’re honestly still very close with my family.

I always thought it was a joke when Gemma said she liked you more than me sometimes.

I don’t think she was joking.

But now, after the ceremony has wrapped up and the reception is about to start, I’m coming to the realization that this means I’m going to have to be in very close proximity of you all day long.

Oh, and all night, actually. Yeah, the hotel got booked up so fast (I have a big extended family) that the only room left was a single king bed.

Wonderful.

“Look, smile for mummy.” I encourage Charlotte with a small nudge and point to where you’re pointing the camera at us.