Growing up with a twin brother, I learned some major life lessons

Growing up with a brother the same age as me definitely had some hardships, considering it provided more arguments than I could have ever imagined. But it has been the most rewarding relationship of my life.

I never truly appreciated having a twin brother until I lived without him. After sharing a room for years and living under the same roof for even longer, it was a bit of a shock coming to college and not having him in the room next to mine in the morning.

I found myself feeling lonelier than ever. I was so used to doing everything with him – from walking in together on our first day of class to just sitting in each other’s company and watching TV. So when I walked in to my first day of college classes without him by my side, I felt his absence big time.

I am thankful I always had someone to share the awkward moments with. When meeting a new group of people, I never felt alone when walking in. I was able to talk to him, laugh with him and know he was always there if I felt like I was being antisocial. When we were introduced, it would always be: “Hi, my name is Sophie, and this is my twin brother, Sam.” I had him to rely on, and for that, I am forever grateful.

I have loved seeing the world through his eyes as the years have passed. Because of our same age, we have always been at the same level academically, but also in our learning curves. He taught me how to take a tackle and I taught him how to properly write his “Ds.”

The sports I played, I taught him how to play, and vice versa. Because of this ability to share our interests with one another, it was like I learned twice as much growing up because of him. Even though our interests have differed as we have grown, I have still been able to learn so much from him.

My brother taught me how to share, how it feels to not want to share and how to push every one of his buttons until it results in a catastrophic argument. He taught me how to live up to my word, resist making empty promises and how to argue my perspective until the very end. He taught me how to hate and love, how to smile and cry, and how to share a sense of humor so closely that even a look can ignite a laugh.

Now that we both attend Appalachian State University, I am able to run into him on the same campus. It makes my day to see the same familiar face I have always known in a sea of people I do not know. Overall, growing up with a twin brother is quite possibly the best thing that has ever happened to me.