“I read your
book and could not put it down. I am the mother
of triplets born when we were married 9 months. My
favorite story was when they were 2 years
old- Nancy and Ellen were fighting so I put them
in the corner. I told Lynn she did not do
anything bad and did not have to go so she went
and hit Nancy and Ellen and then joined her sisters
in the corner. Good luck to you both.”
A Reader
Girls!
My heart is so happy knowing you've finally found
your "other half". Buying the same
bikinis while in different countries, being
called "H&H" as neither parent
could figure out who was who between the two
of us - growing up as identical twins certainly
is a gift and conversely, causes one to question
their identity! At prom - my sister's date
handed me flowers and asked if I was "ready
to go?" -
how disheartening! When I was in a car wreck -
my twin showed up at the hospital within minutes
- she just knew. When my twin had a baby -
I dreamt of it as she went into labor - I woke
up and called her in the middle of the night
to learn that just a few minutes earlier I'd
become an aunt! We've had that twin stuff happen
constantly and even today have our own separate
cell phones that only we use so that we can't be
interrupted and the minutes don't end up costing
us each hundreds of dollars! Amongst our four
children - two cannot tell us apart - when
they realize their mistake, they say "you're
the other mommy". We live across the country
from each other now and wonder - are we closer
now as we each have our "own" lives
than we would be if we lived together? There is
no doubt that we will one day live together
again - and I can only hope you two have time
to enjoy the unique love that identical twins
have to share with each other.
Best Regards,
Heidi
Dear Paula and Elyse,
My twin and I were horrified when we found out
about what happened. We are identical and were
raised by our mother. Neither of us could imagine
growing up alone. We've say we were born with
a built-in best friend, and we've always had
each other. The phone bills when we've been
in different countries were astronomical! When
we were little, Mum would sit in us in
front of the mirror and say "who's that?".
Invariably, we always answered "my sister".
We've since figured out what mirrors actually
do, of course, but sometimes we'll catch our
reflection in a mirror and our first reaction
will be "I didn't know my sister was here"
My sister is a psychology major
at university, and she was absolutely appalled
by experiment. The people supervising the experiment
obviously were not twins if they purposely separated
you or believed that twins would develop better
apart. The Nature vs Nuture is very interesting,
but it should not necessitate separation of twins.
It is cruel.
We are so glad you found each
other. It's an incredibly close bond. We hope
you enjoy it.
Nicolette (and Camille)
I
am an identical twin. My sister and I could not
imagine life without each other. My sister and
I have always been best friends. We do not remember
any "weird twin things" growing up,
besides everyone mistaking one for the other.
In our adult lives, however, we have noticed interesting
things. When I was pregnant with my son, I had
no morning sickness, but my twin sister did! She
had the same cravings as I did. The morning I
went into labor, before she even knew, my sister
starting having cramps so bad she had to sitdown
at work for a while! Twins are a wonderful miracle
and they should never beseparated. They are made
together and should stay together. My sister and
I are horrified that anyone would do that, even
for "science."
Good
luck in your journey and thank you for sharing
your story.
Michelle (and Jennifer)
Paula and Elyse,
After watching your story on "CBS News Sunday
Morning", I couldn't stop thinking about
how cruel it was to separate sets of twins and
triplets for a psychiatric study. I am also an
adopted identical twin (adopted together, thankfully)
and was horrified to think that an experiment
like that was condoned under any circumstances.
I have a Master's degree in Psychology and have
always been fascinated by the ‘nature vs.
nurture' debate, but I can't imagine how any psychiatrist
could come to the conclusion that was acceptable
to disrupt innocent lives in such a manner.
My twin sister has been in touch with our birth
parents, but I don't feel the need to meet them
at this time because I am very close to my adoptive
parents and view it as somewhat disrespectful
(although, they say they are fine with it). Luckily,
my biological parents respect my feelings and
I am able to learn about my heritage from a distance
via traditional genealogy and genealogical DNA
testing.
I'm happy you were able to find each other, despite
the circumstances.
Pamela LeCroy Brown
Little Rock, Arkansas
To Whom It May
Concern:
Although best friends, Lauren and I have always
tried to make people see us as the individuals
we are and wouldn't dream of dressing alike. Having
said that, we are always amazed to return from
college breaks and realize we've bought the same
clothes, shoes, and even jewelry, miles apart.
It is truly special to have someone with identical
taste to introduce you to something new you will
also surely love, a perfect medical match, and
most importantly a best friend because it's hard
not to love your true self! All twins will tell
you, nature rules!
Carrie Silberman
Dear Paula &
Elyse,
I am one of a set of triplets separated at birth.
We found each other at age 35. I was adopted at
6 months and my brother Mike was raised in foster
care until about age 4 when he was adopted. He
was blind at birth, and my other brother Andy
was adopted at 1 year of age. The boys meet when
they were 10 and Andy's parents had looked
for me for 25 years. Believe me I know what you
have been through and then some!
Thanks for your story,
Dana
Dear Elyse and
Paula,
Congratulations. When my sister Marcia and
I first met four years ago after 52 years apart,
it was magical. I flew to Florida and met my sister,
my two nieces, and two great nieces (actually
one was born since we first met). We each tried
to look at each other when the other was not looking
because we could not believe our eyes.
Since our reunion, together, we have done many
"sister" things like spoil each other
with little gifts and speak every evening on the
phone.
Andi
Hi, Sisters!!!!!
Andi and I are also sisters!!!!! Reunited after
52 years. We too, had no idea that
we had other siblings. Andi is 2 years younger
then I and after looking at your
pics, it brought a thrill remembering all the
fed-ex pics we sent back and forth to
each other that week we found out. Andi was also
a Louise Wise baby. We probably did
the same route as you. DNA, first reunion, etc.
It is truly amazing looking at
someone else who resembles you, walks like you,
talks like you, and so on and so on.
We could write a book as well. We could have passed
for twins! Soooo happy for you girls. Enjoy your
new journey together. It is precious!
Mazel Tov.
Marcia
Dear Paula and
Elyse,
Welcome to "the club." I am sure you
will be finishing each others' sentences, thoughts
and dreams soon. Such a hard thing to explain
to outsiders. Being a member...knowing this person
more intimately than one's spouse or children.
Your first real
psychic connection is special. I can remember
taking English 101 my senior year of high school
with my identical sisters. I was in a car on my
way to school with my sister Michelle. I had the
worst feeling about Cathy. When Cathy failed to
show up to the class, we left and drove home.
Being New York natives, our parents ALWAYS locked
the doors. I didn't even reach for my keys. I
knew it was unlocked. I walked over to the phone
and called the local hospital. It just so happened...
Cathy and my older sister Marci had been in a
car accident on the way to the class.
Then, years later,
when one of my sisters was in labor with her daughter,
I went into premature labor with my son. People
won't believe everything you say. Congratulations.
Good Luck,
Geanne Kratter Shanahan
(one of a set of identical triplets who grew
up with Paula)
I am a PR professional
for a book publisher in California and was recently
at Book Expo in New York. I picked up your galley
and read it on the plane back home.
All books about
twins intrigue me, as I recently had twins at
the age of 43 (after over 6 years of trying via
in-vitro). They are now 10 months old. Ave and
Sophia are fraternal, and very different in so
many respects. But they are close and their bond
means everything to me and my partner, Barbara.
We love it that they have each other.
I have always loved
stories about twins. When I read your book, I
was both
shocked and riveted. I felt so sad for you, yet
happy that you finally reunited. Your story made
me cry and laugh. Thank you both for sharing such
a special, personal journey. It must have been
hard, but you remained united and honest through
the whole thing and I respect that so much. I
hope you are well and happy. Mazel Tov to you
both.
- Andrea Burnett
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