Growing up being a triplet makes for an extremely interesting childhood. It has several pros and cons (a huge percentage of these being normal for even non-multiples), but ultimately, it makes for a unique childhood that a lucky, select few have the privilege of experiencing. I would argue that growing up being a triplet has not only made me unique, but also been an awesome experience (for the most part).

I’ll start with the drawbacks of being a multiple. One of the most irritating encounters is when someone blatantly compares you and your siblings by pointing out your similarities and differences. Yes, I am aware that my sister is taller than me, and no, I did not dye my hair brown so people could tell us apart. Comparing our differences and similarities is similar to observing animals at the zoo. Also, as a side note, identical multiples are a result of a fertilized egg separating into two parts. They often look extremely similar and are always the same gender. Therefore, if you encounter a set of twins or triplets of different genders, please do not ask if they are identical. This will save us from correcting you, and you from feeling embarrassed.

My siblings and I are often referred to as “the triplets.” While this would make a killer band name, we prefer to not be grouped together. Just because you are a multiple does not mean you are one unit. We are diverse and complex beings just like anybody else.

Now it’s on to the positives. Growing up a triplet was awesome. When we were little, we always had someone to play with. Additionally, playing games together was way more exciting because after all, the more the merrier! Birthday celebrations and parties were always fun and exciting (once you finally agreed on how to celebrate). Also, being a triplet is a great fun fact to share when trying to meet new people. It is an interesting fact that grabs people’s interest and sets you apart from others.

Something that was really cool about growing up a triplet was that I always had two other people by my side no matter what. Nerve wrecking occasions such as the first day of school, SATs, and applying to college were made slightly less terrifying knowing that I had two other people by my side going through it with me. This has been an amazing gift which I could not be more grateful for.