In my 18 years of life, I have often heard the expression, "you come into this world the same way you go out: alone." I never learned who said those words, but I have come to the conclusion that though these words are wise, they don't exactly apply to me.

I didn't come into this world alone. I came into this world following the lead of a loud, eccentric, Batman-loving, Star Wars super-fan, to put it simply.

For those of you who didn't catch onto that and are wondering: yes, I am saying that I am the fraternal twin sister to a nerd. For 18 years, I had been living with this boy following my every move, talking to all my same friends, copying my homework, and eating pretty much all of my food at all times. We were never apart for more than a week EVER.

I say "had" and "were" because now all of that has changed. I no longer have my shadow, my parasite, my BFF 5-ever because after we had graduated high school I came to college...

out of state. (DUN DUN DUN)

Yes, I made the courageous decision to leave my life behind in the beautiful state of California to study Journalism in the blisteringly hot Phoenix, Arizona. My brother, on the other hand, chose to stay close to home and go to school near our hometown.

At this point, you might be asking: "How are you living without him? How can you be totally okay with the separation?" Well, there are three truths about being a twin:

1. You are never alone. Ever.

This was truer when I lived at home (because he slept across the hall from me), but it is still true now, even as we are living in completely different states. A twin will always have your back no matter what: you need a friend? They talk with you on the phone for hours on end. Need help with homework? They tutor you until you understand everything (unless they get frustrated with you first and just give you the answers - that works too). Need some help in a fight? They have your back 100% (though I don't condone fighting because violence is never the answer). No matter how far apart twins may be, they are there for each other through thick and thin.

2. Since you are never alone, separation can sometimes be a good thing.

Yes, twins are best friends who always support each other, but 18 years with the same person attached to your hip at all times can be stressful - especially when you happen to be different genders and you tend to REALLY butt heads from time to time. In my experience, twins need time away from each other once in a while in order to grow and learn as individuals. College is a great time to do this since it's the time that you can officially pursue what you want to and not what others tell you to.

3. You may fight like sworn enemies, but no one will ever understand you like they do.

My twin is often my biggest annoyance--we fight like an old married couple that can't stand the sight of each other sometimes; however, he also knows me better than I know myself, and I know him. There is no one on this entire planet who puts up with me or supports me like he does. The relationship between a person and their twin is as close as relationships can ever get - after all, you do come into this world together. Who else can say the same?