No offense to the only-children, but giving me siblings was the best thing my parents could have done for me. I can overlook that they gave my sister and I pretty much the same name, but that was surprisingly not the most confusing part about growing up with sisters. Somehow, against the grace of God, we look nothing alike. And I mean absolutely nothing alike.
I know some siblings that could literally swap faces and look like the same person, but here I am begging people to believe me that yes, she is truly my full sister. I promise we share the same mother and father. Please stop asking me if I’m serious. I can’t be the only one, so here are seven things I hope other less-than-identical siblings might have encountered in their years:
1. Everyone just thinks we’re really good friends that spend a lot of time together.
When my little sister and I would go to summer camps or after-school programs when we were little, literally every counselor or fellow student thought we were inseparable best friends. I mean, that’s very true, but I don’t think it really counts when the friendship was unwillingly forced upon you at birth. Good thing I’m just naturally really cool anyway.
2. People always come up to us and say, “You remind me of ____.”
Well, considering the same people raised us and we spend almost every waking moment of our free time together, I can’t say I’m all that surprised!
3. Someone will see a picture of the two of us and ask how we know each other.
Really funny story actually! We were born out of the same womb.
4. People are genuinely shocked when they find out we’re related.
Almost everyone thinks we’re trying to trick them. They’re either convinced we’re fraternal twins or think we’re half- or stepsisters. But now that I'm thinking about it, I actually really regret that I don’t get the opportunity to be a real-life Matty (because clearly I am the female version of Chris Hemsworth).
5. Family members joke that one of us is the milkman's kid.
Who thought it was a good idea to suggest to a 10-year-old that they’re the product of their mother’s infidelity? Am I the only one that thinks that’s inappropriate?
6. Teachers unawarely mix us up.
OK, maybe not every parent has two daughters less than two years apart and names them "Mikayla" and "Mackenzie," but the first day of school was always fun for me when I came home and got to find out which of my old teachers accidentally called my sister "Mikayla" and said “Oh, sorry, I had a student with a similar name!” After which she gets to say, “Yeah, unfortunately that’s my sister.” Good thing I’m a great student. You’re welcome, sis.
7. We’re often mistaken for Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.
Honestly, guys, it’s FINE. Common mistake, no need to apologize. We’re actually more like Bella and Gigi Hadid, though, so just get it right next time.
So I guess until the day our long-awaited modeling contracts come into effect and we’re finally known worldwide, I’ll just have to keep correcting people on my actual relationship with my sister-friend. But let me just say, this kind of talent can’t be taught. It’s in the genes.
