My father is getting married for the third time and has asked me to attend his wedding. He is very keen that I attend and is putting pressure on me. It’s a 8 hour round trip (at least) so will mean a whole weekend and paying for my own accommodation. I don’t know his wife to be very well, she is nice but I’ve only met her twice. I would know a few of my own extended family at the wedding but no one else who attends.
I do not see him often - he moved away when I was a teenager and he left my mum for someone else. My partner of many years has only met him once and he doesn’t really know my now adult DC as he hasn’t been around or a present grandparent.
I did not have a close or healthy relationship with him growing up either so his 25 year absence hasn’t really had much impact, but I have felt the impact of having basically no dad and my DC have had no granddad (their other grandad passed away). So we did miss out on having a typical dad experience of help you with DIY, or mend your car. My grandad on my mums side was an amazing man who taught me a lot, my DC didn’t get anything.
I’ve had intermittent low contact with him over the years, he pops up now and again but nothing consistent. I used to be really angry with him but I’ve moved more now to indifference.. I am not sure how much I care anymore?
AIBU to decline this invitation or am I likely to regret it/feel bad?