At one point in nearly every child’s life, he or she dreams of having a twin.  Whether it is growing up watching Mary-Kate and Ashely movies, The Parent Trap, or just the desire to have a friend around 24/7, the idea appeals to every adventure-seeking youth.  Yet, the closest thing many people have to a twin is a best friend, brother, or sister.

Separated by a mere 20 minutes, sophomores CJ and Katie Dillon are living this dream.  The identical twins have grown up side-by-side for 16 years now, and have not gotten sick of each other quite yet.

“Being a twin is just like you would imagine,” said CJ.  “I am with Katie all the time, but we are each other’s best friends.”

While growing up together is not a choice, their decision to get along and share a room is.

“It is just more fun that way,” said Katie.  “I am a bit more of a slob, but we manage to make it work.”

“I think we are so much closer because we share a room,” added CJ.  “Of course there are times when we want to be alone, but we get over it.”

Being together is easy when they share so many interests, though.  They both enjoy reading, playing field hockey, and having Harry Potter movie marathons.  In addition, they share the same group of friends.  It is rare to ever catch one without the other.

Perhaps the most popular twins trick is the classic duping-teachers-by-trading-places.  While CJ and Katie have never done such a trick, their teachers often confuse them.

“One time our math teacher did not know we were twins,” said CJ.  “Not only do we have different names, but we were in two different hours.  It was pretty funny.”

The two are even confused by their own friends and classmates.

“I always have girls come up to me in the hallway asking me about homework thinking I am CJ,” said Katie.  “I usually go along with it for my own enjoyment.”

While some twins have distinct differences, CJ and Katie are about as identical as it gets.   But even though they share the same DNA, the two still value their own individuality.

Their personalities distinctively set them apart.  Katie is the more outgoing of the two, while CJ tends to be shyer and more soft spoken.  When having a casual conversation, however, their laughter is indistinguishable.

When it comes to their future, the two are often asked if they are going to attend the same college.  Unsurprisingly, the answer is a definite yes.

“We have never been apart from each other in our whole lives,” said Katie, “and we don’t really want to.  Plus, our parents are making us.”

“We are not planning on rooming together, though,” said CJ.  “I think 18 years of sharing a room will be enough.”

Overall, CJ and Katie value their friendship and sisterhood above everything else.  No matter what time of the day, they can always count on each other for support and laughter.

“Life is just a little more interesting when you have a twin,” said Katie.  “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”