Buzzword ... "twins." Now what do you think of? Two people who look alike and wear matching clothes?
While coordinating outfits are a common perception about twins, did you know most twins are not identical? My twin brother and I occasionally get asked if we are identical. We just smile and ask, "Can you tell us apart?"
I have met quite a few sets of twins in my life, mostly same-gender twins. I have never met another boy-girl set of twins my own age, but I bet they have had similar experiences and hopefully have as much fun as my brother and I do. I lead a "normal" life. I've never felt held back or privileged because I was a twin. Maybe it's just because I don't know any different. However, I'd like to answer some common questions and clear up some misconceptions about boy-girl twins.
Girls always tell me they wish they had a twin brother for basically one reason -- so they can date his friends. From my experience, this plan does not always work so well. My brother and I have a lot of the same friends, but we work to build our own friendships and not to hook each other up. However, we do help each other figure out who to ask to the dance, or let the other one know if someone "likes" them.
Being in the same grade as a sibling can have major advantages. There are some things you can only talk about with family, and it's nice to have someone who knows the same people and has some of the same teachers and classes.
On the other end, a lot of times teachers compare our test scores or people often ask, "Who's better at _____?" This competition can be fun and healthy. Both of us work hard to keep a high GPA so as not to be outdone by the other. No, we don't copy each other's assignments (teachers check that) and no, from my experience there is no such thing as twin telepathy. At least I've never read his thoughts or told him what to say via brain waves.
With a twin you've got to watch what you say about your family. You don't want to be caught stretching the truth, or spilling any family secrets. Things can be repeated ... in front of your mom. People at school will tell me things my brother has done, and I know he hears it about me too.
No one likes being told they need to change. But constructive criticism from someone who knows the situation can be just that, "constructive." My brother and I know how we are at home, at school, hanging out, etc. So we know each other's weaknesses and social blunders. Sometimes it is nice to be told what can be fixed and other times it is embarrassing to be reminded.
My life would be very different without a twin brother. I probably wouldn't know every "Star Wars" movie inside and out, and I might not be able to throw a football. I would also miss his fashion input. Boys are never as helpful as girls would like but it is nice to ask a boy my age if I look OK before I leave home. And to answer one of the most frequently asked questions: Yes, sometimes I do pick out his clothes.
My twin brother and I share some of the same interests like student government and eating ice cream. But we are still separate people who think and do things differently. I love volleyball, he loves basketball. I stress if I don't get things done early, he is more flexible and laid back. But there will always be this connection. I've always got his back and I know he's got mine.
Every day I'm glad I have a twin brother. We started as womb-mates but we'll always be life-long friends.
Mackenzie Stevens is a junior at Bonneville High School who loves playing volleyball and chill-axing with friends. E-mail her at stevensma1@wsdmail.net.
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