Before coming to college, I was always asked the question: “What’s it like having a twin?” more times than I could count. However, when people find out that I happen to share the same DNA with another person living 800 miles away, they ask this question as well.

It’s not that I don’t like answering it, it’s just that I am asked it so often that I give generic answers. “I like it,” or “it’s cool” or “I’m never bored.” But, quite honestly, it’s impossible to give a straight up answer. Being an identical twin is unlike anything else.

First, having an identical twin comes with its perks. As a kid I always had someone to play with, curing boredom for my entire childhood. Luckily, my sister and I got along very well as kids. It wasn’t until we got older that we began to realize that having a person who looks exactly like you, likes everything you like, and knows everything about you is more difficult than it may seem. These are just a few truths about having an identical twin.

1. Answering to two different names.

I was born with one name, but in reality I have two. If my hear my sister’s name being called, I will turn around---if she’s next to me or if she is over 500 miles away.

2. Sharing everything.

Sharing everything is a pain, until I realized it gives me double the clothes.

3. And speaking of clothes...

Having a twin cures the laziness of trying on clothes in the store. If I find a shirt I really like and my sister is in the dressing room, I will ask her to try it on for me.

4. Being mistaken for your sister and pretending you're okay with it.

This happens way too many times to count. Sometimes I just nod my head and go along with it. It’s not like the person even knows who they are talking to in the first place.

5. When you finally tell them they've got the wrong twin.

Because who knew nodding your head isn’t enough to keep a conversation going. Yes, it makes them feel uncomfortable and awkward, but it has to be done.

6. Wishing you were as cool as famous twins.

I have seen almost every MaryKate and Ashley movie, every Sister Sister episode, every Twitches movie and The Parent Trap way too many times to count. I have no shame.

7. Always ordering the same meal at a restaurant.

Being an identical twin doesn’t always mean liking all the same things, but when it comes to food this couldn’t be more true. I never ask myself at restaurants “what do I want,” but rather, I ask myself “what is my sister getting because I don’t want to get the same thing as her.” Yup, I care that much.

8. When people do a double take.

At school, at a restaurant, at the movies, in a clothing store. Anytime, any place. I'm used to it.

9. “So like do you have your own language?

No, no and no.

10. “Have you ever tried to switch places?”

Yes, once. Not as easy as it looks in Parent Trap.

11. “How do people tell you apart, especially your parents?”

I'd hope my parents can tell me and my sister apart by now.

12. Struggling to identify which one you are in baby pictures.

Am I the one in the pink, or the blue? Don’t worry, I can sympathize with those of you who can’t tell us apart.

13. When you get in a fight with your friend over something your sister said.

Having the same friends came with its struggles. Sometimes I would get called out for things my sister said and vice versa.

14. Thinking the same thing and giving each other "the look."

No, twin telepathy doesn't exist, but my sister and I sometimes say the same thing at the same time. You can think it's magic, but it just means we think a lot of the same things at the same time.

15. When people ask who's older.

When I'm only 27 minutes older than my sister but my hand shoots up because apparently those crucial 27 minutes make me so much older and wiser.

16. When other people decide to plan out your future.

Yes, I do know that if my sister and I marry identical twins our kids will look the same.

17. Having a twin comes with its struggles.

But, in reality it means a best friend for life-- someone who you can tell anything to free of judgment. Someone who will always have your back and not just tell you what you want to hear.

I was happy to go away to college and become my own person. Not half of a unit, but my own individual. Going to college without my sister was the best decision I could have made. Do I miss her at times? Yes. But, I know that no matter how far away we are from each other, we will always have each other. It may sound cheesy, but having an identical twin is a bond people without identical twins can't understand.