As a fraternal twin, there can be a variety of ups and downs, all stemming from the many different viewpoints of others and the stereotypes surrounding being a twin. Whenever someone learns that I’m a twin, they think that my sister Jessica and I “share the same identity.” My twin is my strongest bond, but with every pro comes the cons.
Growing up, Jessica and I had many differences, but it never divided our closeness. When we were young, we didn’t always enjoy each other’s company. However, as we got older, this became something we often longed for. My sister and I have been through so much together, and it has made our connection unbreakable.
As kids, my sister and I didn’t always have it easy. We experienced a lot of things we didn’t deserve. Our bond at the time was shriveled and falling apart. Our environment played a big role in our relationship, and it affected us individually. We were both going through difficult times, and this affected the way we interacted with one another. Being vulnerable kids made us grow up with more understanding. We started to realize that, in reality, we did need each other, and that no matter how hard things got at home, we had one another.
“Our bond has changed for the better since we’ve gotten older, but not because we are twins, rather, because we are going through the same things together at times,” says Jessica. “Although we have our own things and our own lives, we still communicate like sisters. Having a twin is like never being alone, and when you are, you hate it. Having a twin is like sharing everything, but nothing at the same time. Having a twin is what they say—like having a built-in best friend,” she added.
Loneliness was never a problem for me growing up. When it came to wanting a good laugh, I would just walk across the hall. Having a twin for me is like having a consistent friend who knows almost every detail about me as a person, because we both share the same life. A friend I get to have for my entire existence. My sister and I do everything together whenever we have the opportunity. We have very different personalities, but they easily come together. Boredom doesn’t seem to exist between us. As siblings and friends, we always find a way to have fun.
Surprisingly, we are polar opposites. She’s left-handed and I’m right-handed. My favorite color is green, and hers is pink. Yet these minor differences have always made sharing birthdays, events, and other experiences difficult. Something she liked, I most likely didn’t, and vice versa. We would always get caught up on our differences. For a long time, I hated sharing and would shy away from the idea of compromise. However, we would have to make it work for both of us. Younger me was not happy about these things. Yet, now that I am older, being able to share these occasions with my best friend means the most to me. We have grown and matured enough to know this. Now, we both always look for a compromise.
Despite the many pros, there is a common con of being a twin. The main issue is that people don’t differentiate our individuality. People often expect my sister and me to be and look extremely similar. Yet, it is far from being that way. We share many interests, hobbies, and characteristics; however, my sister and I like our uniqueness. Growing up with similar experiences shaped us as individuals, but we still manage to flaunt our differences. We are two separate people. A lot of times, we get defined by being twins, but not represented as two individual people. Despite the perspectives we receive, having a twin sister is something I wouldn’t change for the world.
My sister knows every detail about me as a person. Whenever I find myself in times of struggle, I lean on her for solid advice. My sister and I are each other’s uplifters. We consistently lean on each other in times of need. She gives me her opinion, and I value it. We both communicate with each other about our hardships, and we work as a support system for one another. There is no other person I feel I could trust more. I know I always have her in my corner.
