Taking my kids out for Tet, I want to 'win' my ex-wife again

My husband and I met through work, we were both 25 at the time. We dated for 3 years before getting married, and divorced after 2 years of marriage. It has been 3 years now. The reason for the breakup was because of our busy work. I was a photographer so I had to travel frequently, and she was a bridal makeup artist, sometimes busy from 4am to 11pm. We both blamed each other for not spending enough time with our families, and we argued more and more, leading to our breakup.

The day we agreed to divorce, she burst into tears, but still wiped her tears away to go to work in time for her client’s wedding. I took the baby to my grandparents to take care of so I could go to the photo shoot on time. That was when we both considered work as the top priority, above our own family. Now, when I think about it, I can’t help but regret my foolish youth.

After the divorce, my ex-wife and I still kept in touch regularly about raising our children. The relationship broke down because we were both too impulsive and competitive, not because of any serious conflict that made us unable to look at each other. I paid for my 5-year-old daughter’s kindergarten tuition at a good school, and took her out 2-3 times a month. Every time I picked her up, I met my ex-wife, and we still happily talked and asked about each other.

Over time, both of our jobs and finances gradually stabilized, and we no longer had to chase after each customer, but instead hired employees. This Lunar New Year, my ex-wife suddenly suggested that we take our children out together. I agreed immediately, leaving all the work of taking photos for the New Year to the employees.

On the first day of Tet, I went to my ex-wife's parents' house to pick her and her daughter up. The whole family welcomed me very warmly, like family. After the meal, I asked permission to take the mother and daughter to visit. Her parents were very supportive, looking very happy.

We went to many places, enjoying the Tet atmosphere. I took my mother and son to Hoan Kiem Lake to eat ice cream and walk around town. My son walked in the middle, holding his parents' hands and running around happily. When my son was tired, I held him, and my ex-wife gently put her arm around me, creating a warm family atmosphere that I had been missing for the past few years.

Next, the family of three went to the Temple of Literature, praying that our daughter would be good and studious when she entered first grade next year. Mother and daughter sat while an artist painted a portrait as a souvenir. After that, we took our daughter to paint statues and to Truc Bach Lake to ride ducks. The image of mother and daughter smiling happily was woven into my imagination about a more fulfilling future, where I could play with my daughter not only on weekends.

At the end of the day, I took my mother and me back to my parents’ house and went home alone. In my room, I slowly flipped through my wedding photos and suddenly cried silently. After years of wandering here and there, always alone, I knew how much I needed a small family.

After all, I realized the mistakes of the past, because of impulsiveness, recklessness, and lack of responsibility that caused the family to fall apart. Now I just want to text my ex-wife, to apologize for the things in the past, for the patriarchal, selfish, and heartless way I showed. I want to marry my ex-wife again, not only for the children but because I still have love and desire to reunite the family. With her, I feel happy.

In the past, we didn’t really appreciate what we had together. Now that we’ve both grown up, maybe the past isn’t so big that it can’t be resolved. But I’m worried that my ex-wife’s ego is too big, or that she doesn’t love me anymore.

Please give me advice on how to propose and mend my relationship after 3 years of divorce?