By Lisa Yarosh
I'm an identical twin, and twins run in our family. (My aunts are twins; one of their daughters had twins. . . .)
My twin and I were extremely close growing up--so close, in fact, that we had the same teacher up until first grade. That year, we spent some time in the same class together, but the school felt that siblings should not be in the same classroom so they tried separating us. All we did was scream and cry, and I know that I refused to listen to anything the teacher told me to do. I understand that my twin stood on top of her desk and refused to get off! This went on for two days. Finally, the principal called my mother and said that they tried separating us, but all we did was scream and cry. What more could the school do? My mother replied, "Leave them alone!!" After that conversation, we shared the same classroom through high school. We shared the same bedroom at home, shared clothing, went to college together and shared the same car. Does it get any closer than that?
We were very good at reading each other's minds. An elementary school teacher noted that I would speak for my sister. We would even step into a room together and start to sing the same verse of the same song at the same time. It happened so frequently, we'd just giggle.
My mother said we were easy to raise. We always had a playmate. Plus, she felt we were "double the fun." She dressed us the same through elementary school, and when the teachers complained they couldn't tell us apart, they asked Mom for advice. Mom just stated that there simply was no way of telling us apart and even she got confused. . . .
We do have an older brother and sister, and one day, when we were 16, our oldest sister said, "Lisa, how do you know you're Lisa?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, if we took your fingerprints and they didn't match up to your birth certificate, then that means that you're really Dawn (my twin)."
"Don't even go there," I responded. Seriously, though, she could be right, but my twin and I decided that we really didn't want to know the truth!!
I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea. Having a twin is great, and there are many stories to tell!
Lisa Yarosh resides in Colorado.
She is the owner of Handcrafted Hope Chests, featuring beautiful Amish hope
chests with a modern twist. These quality, handmade chests are known to be
handed down from generation to generation, making them a beautiful keepsake
that will last for years. For more information, visit
HandcraftedHopeChests.com.