I believe that twins share a bond deeper than any other relationship in this world.
The entire experience of being a twin has promoted wonder, curiosity and what seemed like an obnoxious question – “do you like having a twin?” The truth is, I don’t know what is it like to not have one, as this is the only life I have known. My unique circumstance has helped me live an interesting life.
Some people seem offended by the statement that “twins” are the closest of any set of siblings and often attempt to get defensive. I have heard statements that are endearing, such as “ me and my sibling are only 13 months apart, we are just like twins.” This is not accurate in my opinion. Actually for us, we have other siblings that are “close to our age” and from a first-hand experience, I can state that the bond is in no way, shape or form “the same!”
How can anything be compared with sharing the womb with someone for nine months? Being born minutes apart and having someone the same exact age as you, sharing every significant moment together for the rest of your life; how can this be compared with siblings who are months apart? Through photographs and memory enhancement from the stories told by my parents, the sharing started as soon as we came home. We were placed in a cradle together, where we are told that we used to steal each other’s pacifiers, cried, slept and ate at the same time. Rituals that “singleton siblings” do not get experience together, that we did – were our baptism, communion, confirmation, birthdays, graduations, getting a drivers license; this person is by your side through it all. That is just special in its own right.
As fraternal twins, our differences are not what separated us but what bonded us closer together. My twin and I are not a complete replicas of each other, we are like black and white, hot and cold – we fulfill what the other person lacks. Activities allowed us to engage in things that would not be common for our gender. I played baseball and basketball and he took ice-skating and gymnastic lessons. I was not a tomboy and he was not a “princess boy” – we merely just wanted to do everything together.
Not only did my twin and I experience activities and every significant moment together, but also every obstacle as well; the chaos of puberty, relationship disappointments, and losses. These obstacles served as a learning experience and guided us through the period of time where one discovers who they are and what they want for themselves.
I know I can count on him for anything. Of course as in any relationship, we have our disagreements and our ups and downs but I know that we will always love each other with everything we are. I am fully aware that in time me and my twin will form new families and new relationships, but no matter what, the bond I have with my twin will never leave me. He will always be a special part of me. I believe that twins share a bond deeper than any other relationship in this world because I am in it!
PHOTO COURTESY of Mara McInerney
