Every late May, many parents feel as though they’re limping toward summer. Between signing assignment books, surviving projects, and fighting the bedtime rush, it can be a grueling few weeks — but the promise of summer break is just around the corner.

A party encounter turned into parenthood when two friends with benefits found themselves expecting a child. They opted to raise their daughter together while living apart, creating an unconventional co-parenting arrangement filled with questions about each partner’s responsibilities and priorities.