Stephanie Marinelli ‘25, Managing Editor
“Which one are you again?”
Jesus, I don’t even know.
Being a twin is a rather mind blowing experience at times, especially when you wake up and forget your own name. (Yes, it happens) But who can blame me? Half the time my sister’s name is called, it’s followed by “oop- wrong one!” Thankfully, there are some defining characteristics between the two of us.
Gina: sweet, tender, quiet, intuitive, thoughtful, intelligent. Stephanie: “the mouthy one.” In all fairness, I cannot refute others’ claims in reference to my demeanor when engaging in conversation. However, I do find it a bit harsh that the same people who claim that we are “carbon copies,” also claim our differences to be so stark. In my years, I have come to realize that it is within human nature to overemphasize slight contrasts in like individuals in order to make a distinction. Otherwise, the brain gets confused. Thus, while Gina mouths off JUST a little less than I do, I am branded with this identity.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love being a twin more than anything. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But I can’t deny that it becomes difficult to know who you are when people think you are the epitome of an “evil twin” (who came up with that idea, seriously?) because you have a bit more of an attitude, or the subset of a greater entity that is “the twins.” (this is all I get reduced to)
I’m not even sure if this makes sense to you all. It’s a rather lengthy rant, published in a newspaper, as opposed to a messaging board, which would often be followed with an emoji portraying frustration. If you are a twin reading this, I’m sure you get it. But for those who aren’t, imagine people coming up to you, unannounced, trying to figure out “which one is which,” and touching your face and hair without consent. So much fun right? All of a sudden, everyone has become the world’s greatest analyst. Imagine that your teacher blames you for something your sibling did, because they can’t for the life of them figure out which one of you did it. Imagine guys coming up to the both of you, only to state which one he finds the “prettier of the two” and why. (yes, this did happen) Imagine trying so hard to find out who you are, while also trying not to be yourself, because the scrutiny has familial ties.
I am not trying to demonize the greatest gift in my life, but I AM trying to show the realities of comparison, and how many do not realize that their words affect TWO beings. Not a sensationalized entity that they’ve glorified in their head. I am a person. Gina is a person. I have feelings. Gina has feelings. I have independent thoughts, so does she.
While I can’t change what others make of my existence, as everything is subjective, I CAN change whether or not to be affected by it.
