Amy and I have grown up hearing this question. Our answer has always been “Both”. We’ve also been asked “What’s it like to have a twin?” My answer “What’s it like to not?”
With the 634 miles now separating us we receive these questions much less. In fact many casual friends and acquaintances have no knowledge of our identical siblings. We are now rarely referred to as the twins and I have even learned that my name can be pronounced with out hers preceding it. Amy and Jami. That’s who we’ve been. Now I’m more often known as Kaleb, Charleigh or Joshua’s mom; some times as Kurt’s wife but most often as just Jami.
I have to admit its much more fun being a twin in our late 20s then it was as a teenager. Consumed with being individuals we celebrated our differences and left all similarities behind. After our “not quite” double wedding we separated and headed off on individual journeys into the grown up world. Since then we’ve realized being twins isn’t so bad in fact perhaps it’s a little “cool”. With opposite personalities, varying interests and similar passions we don’t mind “looking alike” anymore.
It was slightly amusing this last weekend as we were mistaken for each other over and over. Until in got annoying. After a short time I wanted to wear a shirt that said “I am not who you think I am”. I started answering her door and even her phone by saying “I’m not Amy”
While at time frustrating we did have fun with our similar appearances. On a trip to Price Cutters in search of puffed pastry the clerk asked us the recurring question” Are you twins?” We smiled and said “Yep” She then followed with a question we weren’t expecting. “How old are you?” We stumbled and stuttered neither of us exactly sure how old we are. “Uhhhhh 28? Yeah 28.” So used to giving our children’s ages we could barely summon our own. She told us she had thought we were 15. To us this was hilarious. The last two days of emotional upheaval had surely added a few years to our appearance. How could we still pass for teenagers?!? When in the car Amy realized the cause of her confusion; perhaps the young checker was too distracted by our acne to see our wrinkles. Perhaps our short stature hid the dark circles under our eyes. Or maybe it was the fact we had left the 5 kids with Mom that gave us that youthful appearance.
Wednesday, 9. November 2005
I’m sure it was leaving the kids with mom.
Thursday, 10. November 2005
It’s probably the kids. I on the other hand who is 4 years younger than my amazing sisters, was mistaken for the mother of a high schooler last week now this worries me I’d much rather look 13 years yonger, than 13 to 18 yrs older.
Thursday, 10. November 2005
True That
Thursday, 10. November 2005
SOrry I sounded so confused when you answered the phone. It wasn’t that I confused you with Amy, I at the moment you picked up the phone, my boss walked in and asked a question and so I didn’t even hear you answer. I thought to myself when I got off, “She’s got to think I am an idiot!”
Thursday, 10. November 2005
I wasn’t refering to you Judi, I understood what happened and had forgotten about it. I would never think you an idiot.
I was mostily addressing the 14 other calls in which the caller instantly jumped into conversation before I got to explain I had no idea who they were.
Thursday, 10. November 2005
If the caller ID showed to be someone that I knew was Amy’s friend, I would answer Hello this is Amy’s Mom.