Yep you heard me—we're going to discuss what it's like being a fraternal twin! Although being a member of the slightly under-recognized multiples category (identicals, I'm talking to you) has its challenges, the perks are just as awesome. Let's get started!
As the name implies, fraternal twins can look alike as most siblings do, but we're not total copies of each other. Our parents may have dressed us up alike when we were babies; however, that usually doesn't last long since it's a moot point after a couple of years. So when fraternal twins are asked the ever popular question of "do you guys look alike?" don't take it personally when we answer with a less than elated "Eh, not really."
In my experience, fraternal twins also get the "Who's older?" and "Who came out first?" type inquiries pretty often. They're definitely novelty questions that we don't mind giving an honest answer to, but it's definitely a bit annoying when those factors are assumed to have so much weight when applied to personality or behavioral traits. Growing up, it was always evident that my sister and I had completely different personalities even though we were fraternal twins; naturally branching out to pursue different interests has been a hallmark of our childhood, no matter how stigmatized being a twin could be.
"Do you two fight a lot?" Well sure, just like any pair of siblings I suppose. Any set of multiples argue and bicker just as much as other siblings who don't happen to share the same birthday, and it doesn't exactly give us a license to fight more than the expected amount. Personally, having a fraternal twin is just like having a built-in best friend. Even though we can't share clothes that are different sizes and couldn't pull off a Parent Trap-esque switch in high school, having the ability to share experiences without getting grouped together as one entity is as independent as it gets for a twin (and we love it). That unique bond that twins share is what keeps us close (not telepathy-close by the way, that would be weird) and it just gets stronger going into adulthood. It's also why my fraternal twin sister and I chose to go to different colleges; establishing an identity outside of being "that kid with the twin brother/sister" was important to us because we gain a greater clarity of our goals and and what we want to be known for. And hey, although living apart often pulls on the heartstrings, it makes for one heck of a Skype call and our reunions that much sweeter.
