The Painful, Joyful Reality of Watching Your Twins Grow Up

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I gave birth to twin girls nearly 14 years ago.

Born in the same minute out of the same womb, they have been outpacing each other since birth.

One walked a month earlier than the other. One makes friends easier. One had significant health challenges while the other gets hysterical at the mere mention of swallowing an Advil.

Both are stellar students, although math is the strong suit of one, writing the other.

Both are musicians and athletes, with different instruments, at different sports. One was invited to join a special orchestra. The other made a select team.

One hit puberty first and grew six inches in a year, while the other remained the shortest in the class. Now, they almost look each other square in the eye.

One is neat and tidy, while the other is like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, leaving a wake of mess behind her.

Both have commented the other is my favorite.

One is high strung, confident and boisterous; the other is introverted, calm, and non-confrontational.

One is self-assured and bold, a natural leader, while the other worries about what people think. One believes there is nothing she can’t do, while the other struggles to believe in herself.

On any given day, each one has successes and failures, triumphs and defeats. Unlike siblings, these occurrences often happen in tandem, at the same moments, same places, same times.

That is the way it is when you have twins. You hope for the best for both, if only it was possible for them to have it at the same time.

My heart is often pulled in two directions with these two as I watch one walk in front of the other in every situation.

But today, we went to a track to get some exercise. I walked behind them and watched this pair of individuals.

Sometimes jogging, sometimes walking, sometimes a run at full speed, their long legs moving quickly and their laughter echoing across the football field. One slowed when the other fell behind, the other pushed herself harder to keep up.

Today was a good day to be a mom of twins. As I watched their slight bodies shoulder to shoulder, my heart had a singular feeling of joy.

As there is no greater happiness than knowing your child has someone to walk this life with, side by side.

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Whitney Fleming

Whitney is a mom of three teen daughters, a freelance writer, and co-partner of the site parentingteensandtweens.com You can find her on Facebook at WhitneyFlemingWrites.

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Order So God Made a Mother

The Painful, Joyful Reality of Watching Your Twins Grow Up

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

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