People laughed.
Emma covered her face.
“Oh, no.”
“But I wanted to say this because today isn't just important to me.”
Sophie took a breath.
“When I was little, people often thought Mum was my older sister.”
More laughter followed.
“I used to think it was funny. But I also knew our family was different from some of my friends' families.”
Emma looked down.
Sophie continued.
“As I got older, I started to understand that Mum had been very young when I was born.”
She paused.
“I know things weren't easy for her. I know Grandpa helped us a lot. And I know there were years when she was working, studying, and looking after me at the same time.”
Emma's eyes filled with tears.
“But what I remember most isn't the hard stuff.”
Sophie smiled at her.
“I remember Mum reading to me when she was exhausted. I remember her making silly faces when I was upset. I remember her cheering at school events even when I was terrible at whatever I was doing.”
