Dearest Gentle Reader,

I watched “Side Show” by the Sandbox Collective with my twin sister earlier this month. As we lead up to the show’s closing weekend, here are twenty things the show got right about being twins!

If you’re on the fence about watching the show, then you’ve come to the right place. Read this, then get your tickets here!

P.S. no we are not conjoined twins, we are fraternal.

Without further ado, here’s the list:

1. The matchy outfits

These are so true, especially in youth. We even had matchy strollers, matchy pacifiers, matchy bibs, everything!

2. Always being referred to as “the twins”

Everyone from our parents to our friends to teachers to coworkers!

3. The constant questioning from others upon meeting you

What’s it like? can you read minds? Did you have your own language? Do you know when the other is lying?

Do you have a special twin language? (In truth, we did! As babies, there was a complex language we spoke composed entirely of babbles – it included inside jokes, sarcasm, insults, and deep philosophical discourse.)

There’s also the fact you literally get emotionally distressed when your twin is hurting, sad, or sick.

Seeing it onstage was so cathartic, since it is so true to our daily lives as twins.

4. Finishing each other’s sentences

Especially the introducing each other one after the other “I’m Daisy, I’m Violet!”

Sometimes we say things that only make sense to us, like:

• Oh my Gawdddd
• STARBUCKS!

We’ve also grown adept at guessing what the other’s going to say before they’ve even said it.

This is why we’re not allowed to be teammates on Taboo, because we always score 20+ points every round.

5. “She wants stability.” “She wants her dreams.”

This is literally a word-per-word of my sister and I’s arguments/debates in our shared bedroom, and my parents’ comments about us. Our friends too!

They agree that I am Daisy for my ambitions, and that my stability-loving twin sister is Violet.

6. Moving like a unit

The Hilton sisters were so us: the twin soothing and constant handholding when distressed, when emotional, when nothing is happening and you just latch onto each other out of habit.

Plus, looking at each other immediately when something interesting happens👀

We unconsciously mirrored them too, and that’s on twin synergy!

7. Being sheltered and “in your own bubble”

Especially when we were younger, we always seemed to be in our own little world. This, being sheltered or having strict parents comes with the territory of being twins – bonus points if you have strict parents or a guardian figure like the circus master. (He keep his “songbirds” under lock and key, like Rapunzel and Mother Gothel)

Twins automatically protect and keep each other sane during stressful moments – whether it’s analyzing suspicious figures like Terry and Buddy, white lies to defend the other from punishment, or covering up for the other twin so they can escape a little.

This builds your twin relationship like no other. Daisy and Violet were a perfect example of this, and very cathartic for us to watch.

Sometimes, classmates found us “strange,” especially when we were in our younger years, before developing our own distinct identities.

8. Being unable to lie to your twin

“I’m your sister I know things.” Daisy sings, when Violet pretends she does not like Buddy,

I am physically unable to lie to my twin. And even if I tried, she’d know anyway.

Most twins automatically know when the other is lying, even in front of others.

9. The Twin-on-Twin Arguments

“I wish you would leave me alone!” “I’d like to!”

(one minute later) “We’re so happy! We love that we share everything”

Having a big fight, then going back to your twin after an hour because you’re closest with them and they completely understand all that you are – and they’re the only person you don’t have to over-explain yourself to!

Being twins (and siblings in general) is bickering “backstage,” then immediately putting on a united front for guests (ours is in the kitchen).

We only fight openly in front of our closest friends, haha!

10. Being overly involved in each other’s love life and sharing the intimate details

“Why do Daisy’s tingles run up my spine?” Violet gasps in “Tunnel of Love.”

There’s that universal awkward feeling about the guy sweet talking your twin while you’re in the room but also feeling used to it (at least I could leave the room, Daisy couldn’t!)

Being fine with conversations that would make other siblings say “GROSS” – for context, I’m a guy but I’ve known about periods since ever, and am very comfy talking about them.

There’s also being privy to the ups and downs of your twin’s love life and sometimes knowing the right thing to say at the right time. (“If you don’t say yes I’ll have a heart attack that will kill us both!”

Every time Daisy grimaces while someone is wooing Violet, I laugh so hard because that’s me when we’re chilling at home and then my sister’s boyfriend calls and is like “Hello, angel.”

11. The “Twintrusive” Jokes

Guys joking that they’ll be wooing you both, or that one of you will take his attention off the other one.

This doesn’t just happen to girl-girl twins.

My twin sister’s suitors have, on occasion, made jokes about dating me instead! I’m used to it and take it in stride, like “I’ll be the homewrecker” or “bye twin, he’s mine now!”

11. People assuming you share everything

When Terry shouts “She’s used to sharing!” WE FELT THAT.

That’s true. Especially when we were younger, people always assumed we were ok with sharing EVERYTHING, and/or that one gift was okay for the two of us. Thankfully people tend to give matchy gifts rather than doing that.

To give credit where credit is due, the assumption is true – we have indeed been sharing everything our entire lives.

12. “I will never leave you”

“And we’d think what a sad situation, to be outside on your own. To go through the town with no playmate. To go through life all alone, I will never leave you.”

There is one constant in the life of a twin: knowing that you’ll always have each other, your built in best friend!

It’s a happy thought until you think about the fact we were born a minute apart, and our entire lives have been with each other. Unlike other siblings, there’s not a single day we remember without the other twin by our side.

We’ve cried numerous times about this (especially since my twin sister was already cognizant of mortality at age 5), hoping that we’ll leave this earth a minute apart as well. With the real-life Hilton sisters, Daisy died first, followed by Violet 2-4 days later.

To end the article on a positive note: we’re only 25 and have many years ahead of us! Thank you so much for reading 🙂

There are two shows left, on August 24, and walk-ins are allowed! Buy tickets here: https://ticket2me.net/sandboxsideshow

Catch “Side Show” and see the most fabulous pair of conjoined twins in action! You’ll love it. Come look at the freaks!

DETAILED REVIEW COMING UP: Work-in-progress

The show was wonderful! Showmanship, spectacle, and soul wrapped in a beautiful set of twin-shaped packages!

I’ll place the link of my review here when it’s ready.