What’s it like being an Identical twin?
This is a question I have heard way too many times in my life. More so when I was younger, since my sister and I now go to different colleges and are in our senior years; however, every now and then someone will realize I have a twin, and the question is ringing in my ear a second later.
It’s not that I don’t like people asking. It’s that this question is completely impossible to answer in a sentence or even a couple words. My response is usually “it’s really cool,” or “i love it,” or something generic like that. After, I get one of two responses, first, “Do you guys look like?” Oh no, we're identical twins with the same DNA, why would we resemble anything like each other? Of course we do. Come on. Then, I go on to show a picture, because you know people can’t believe it until they see it.
I feel like twins are like freaky, magical creatures that non-twins find very fascinating. Therefore, the other response is typically, “I wish I were a twin.” Yes you do; however, the only reason you are saying it is because you think having a carbon copy of yourself would be fun, and you wouldn’t mind having a second closet to raid. In reality, being a twin is not this case at all; it’s a million times better.
First of all, having your twin is having your best friend. Growing up, you spend everyday together. What’s even better than that? You are the exact same age so you love the same things at the same time. There was always someone else to play dress up, build a fort, run around the park, scooter down the street, watch disney movies all day and bake every kind of cookie we could think of. Then, there was someone to cry to when school got difficult, friends were hard to deal with, and boys were breaking hearts.
Despite all of this, people make one really absurd notion about twins, that we are EXACTLY the same. That is the most naive thing someone can say and honestly very stereotypical. No, we are two different people with different passions, dreams, goals, and personalities.
I’m not going to lie to you, being a twin can really come with hardships sometimes. It’s not always matching outfits and perfectly synonymous men coming at you like a 2 for 1 beer special. Growing up, it was really hard to distinguish ourselves as individuals and not a unit. We were counted as one when we were invited to parties. I would rarely hear Jessie without Vicki following, and a lot of the time people would just eliminate the names all together and go for the catchphrase, The Taufer Twins. It is catchy, don’t get me wrong, and I do find myself saying it a lot, because it sounds pretty bada** if I must say so myself, but searching for my own identity and creating my own image became a million times harder.
That’s why when college came around, as incredibly difficult as it was, we split ways. Weirdly enough, it was probably the best decision we ever made. I was Jessie, just Jessie, well not just Jessie; there is a lot more to me than that, but for once I had my own name and own identity. Most people don’t know I have someone 1,000 miles away with the exact same face and DNA as me, and I liked it, but also hated it. I hated it because no one knew that my best friend, the other half of me, exists out there and is very much apart of who I am.
A lot of times movies and TV shows characterize twins as being exact opposites, one nerdy and the other popular and boy crazy. Although, this may sometimes be true, but more often like my sister and I, although sometimes hard to admit, are so similar it's scary.
Honestly, sometimes when I look at baby pictures, I struggle with knowing which one I am.
So for those of you who can’t keep our names straight, I sympathize.
People always like to play the “I can tell which one is you game.”
And you just let it happen because they feel like they know you oh so well when they pick out you in a 50/50 chance where I am obviously the one wearing blue and not pink. But hey, I won’t rain on your parade. Good job friend, you are so very smart.
Your friends that haven’t met your other half and already claim they are best friends.
“Oh my gosh she just added me on snapchat!”
The typical “did you wear matching outfits?”
Obviously. It’s cruel, but a social norm. Why would any parent miss the opportunity to double the cuteness of their kids and get even more compliments on how adorable they are. Thank you mom and dad.
Everyone laughs when you are mad at your sister and call her ugly.
Okay I know it’s a backfire, but still let me do it.
You’ve done weird things like been in twin contests, twin clubs, TV shows, modeling, random things just because there are two of you.
Heck, I saw a special pre-screening of the parent trap, and only twins and their families were invited. I didn’t say it doesn’t have its benefits.
If you grew up in the 90s, Mary Kate and Ashley shows were your favorites, just because you thought you were them.
#spiritanimals
“Do you guys like have powers and stuff? I’ve heard of that before?”
Yeah, I can read people’s minds and yours is pretty empty.
People will randomly freak out at how similar you are.
“Woah, you guys really are twins.” Really? I had no idea.
When people ask who’s older..
And the 5 minute older one is suddenly the smarter one, the wiser one, and so on. Sorry, I'm the younger one so this one hits home.
“Did you guys ever trade places?”
When the answer is no, people look at us like we wasted our entire childhood. Sorry pulling a parent trap wasn’t our main priority. Doesn’t mean we didn’t play tricks now and then.
People think wow you are lucky; your closet doubles because you guys share everything.
As much as I would like to wish this was true, bickering over borrowing each others clothes was a daily struggle; however, if I need to know if something will look good on me, a dress, a hairstyle, whatever it may be, I‘ll try it out on her first.
Comparing yourself to one another was just automatic.
Nothing like a little competition.
Random people will just say hi to you who are obviously friends with your twin.
You just learn to smile and wave at basically everyone.
You feel like getting married will be difficult, considering you are basically married to your twin with how much time you spend together.
An hour apart is even too long.
“That sucks, I would hate to share my birthday.”
I have no idea what you are talking about, double the presents every year, bigger parties; why wouldn’t you share?
Do you guys know a guy set of twins? Yes. “Oh my gosh you guys should get married, and then your children will look alike.”
Thanks for planning my future.
You can tell them anything.
If you don’t live with the anymore you call them at least 5 times a day.
Overall, you have an amazing connection and there isn’t a single person that you will ever be closer with, because hey, every awkward phase and memory you have, they were right there with you. Although as a kid it might have had its ups and downs, when you are older you realize why everyone says “I wish I was a twin,” because it’s the biggest blessing in the world.
