Thank you Anna Paquin.

Because of you, my gap-toothed smile is now trendy.

But I will never love it the way you and countless other celebrities do. I hear about stars purposely getting gaps in their teeth, and I wonder why. I have hated my gap for as long as I can remember.

The worst is when a child looks up at me and asks, “Why do you have a hole in your teeth?” or “What’s wrong with your smile?” Ahh. Gotta love kids. So innocent. So honest.

I was on track to get this gap fixed when my parents’ divorce derailed it. I was a tween at the time. They fought over who would pay for it until no one paid for it. Then I was in high school and didn’t want braces that old. In all school photos of me, I have that unmistakable close-mouthed grin. Photographers would try to get me to show teeth and I’d angrily shake my head no.

At some point in my early 20s I embraced the gap. I began showing teeth when I smiled. I received some compliments on my smile and became more confident about it. I even liked certain photos of myself in the right light. Then I got engaged and my dentist at the time offered to fix my teeth so I could “look good on my wedding day.” That’s what he said. My old insecurities came back a little bit. But fixing my teeth would take money I didn’t have — the gap was considered cosmetic. I kicked that dentist to the curb and made peace once again with the gap. I’ll never love it. But here I am, in my 30s, embracing the gap as best I can.

I just hope my kids don’t get one!