Well, the secret is out, I have a fraternal twin sister and interestingly enough, I have been one my entire life, how crazy!

On the real, many of my college friends find this to be exciting, yet surprising. Once they hear the news, I am bombarded with the all too familiar comment, "OMG let me see what she looks like," and later followed with, "Whoa, you don't look anything alike." I mean hey, I won't complain, during syllabus week I always have a fun fact to share that ends up blowing everyone minds (thanks mom and dad).

But, just because my twin does not go to the same school as I do does not mean she does not exist!

I often get questions like, where does she go to school? Do you have twin telepathy? When she is feeling a certain emotion do you feel it too? Do you miss her?

For starters, of course, I miss her. It is definitely weird to have shared a womb for 9 months, attend the same school K-12, live in the same home for eighteen years, and then poof we are separated.

But in reality, it is nice to be separate sometimes and live our own lives.

Growing up, we always shared the same friends. Sometimes this was a blessing, but more often a curse. We almost always had play dates together or attended the same parties. It was great to have a "friend" always there, but we found that we never had time to just be our own selves.

OK, do not get me wrong I love my sister more than anything. It is nice to have a built-in friend that has been through it all with me, but all our life people have always compared us. "Julie doesn't like this so Carly won't either," or "Well your twins so you both have to like the same things."

Why can't we be classified as individuals even though we share the same birthday, were born minutes apart and shared a womb?

We attended a small high school, where everyone knew everything about everyone, so of course, people knew we were twins. Carly and I would be invited to events together or just one of us. Being a twin during our teen years was weird and honestly hard. People would compare us or classify us as one person when in fact we were completely different.

By being a part, I have realized one important thing: our differences are what make us unique.

Sure, we go to two different schools and live two very different lifestyles, but that does not make my twin better or lower than me.

My parents did a great job allowing the two of us to be individual people with our own goals and interests. For example, Carly is studious, social, and the sporty type. She excels in any sport she plays. Whether it be soccer, basketball, or volleyball, Carly would instantly figure out the object of the game and score point after point. As for me, I am easy going, I like to work out and play volleyball in my free time, but I am the girly girl twin in our package deal. I am always keeping up with the latest trends and getting my nails done.

These differences defined who we were as individuals. Sure, we both have our distinctive interests, but we have a lot in common and will always share an indescribable connection.

Compared to my other friends, my twin bond is stronger than a regular sister bond. I can visit her and hang out with people my age, we are referred as "the twins" whenever we do anything, I am never alone at family events, and I have a built-in buddy forever.

Carly if you are reading this just know that even though I hid your clothes under your bed when we used to share a room (I honestly do not know why I even did this), and ran you over in our barbie car, I will never stop laughing with you, at you, and sharing this special connection with you. Pick up your phone and give me a call, I miss you!