The number of twins born worldwide has doubled since 1980, but remains a fun phenomenon for the rest of us. While Hollywood invents stories of a sixth-sense, ESP connection between twins, each pair is just as unique as each individual person.

Did you know?

- The ability to be or have fraternal twins is hereditary, but there is no known gene linked to identical twins. Fraternal twin mothers have a gene that causes them to release more than one egg at a time while ovulating.

- Identical twins do not have identical fingerprints, even though they start out the same! As the babies grow in the womb, they touch each other and the womb, creating a custom pattern and their own fingerprints.

- Tall women are more likely to have twins.

- Women who eat and drink a lot of dairy are 5 TIMES more likely to conceive twins.

- Fraternal twins can have different fathers and different races.

- Twins start interacting in the womb! One study noted the babies were reaching for each other at just 14 weeks. And, the babies are just as gentle to the twin as they are with their own bodies.

Team CPL is lucky enough to have a few twins of our own, and more team members who have twins as children.

Let’s learn about our friends who grew up with a wombmate (get it?).

John Patterson, AIA, NCARB – Co-founder and Principal Consultant, Architect; Rochester, NY

John Patterson is four minutes older than his twin sister, Patricia. She lives in Groten, MA after retiring as an Administrative Assistant at Pittsford Central Schools.

The twins’ mother was an identical twin, but John says his children and grandchildren were all single-born.

What’s your favorite memory of your twin?

John’s favorite memory takes place in his childhood home: a 2-story house with an attic. Somehow, Patty agreed to tie a rope around herself so John could hoist her up the height of the house through a window. (This was before video games.)

Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

John said he felt a sixth-sense connection with his sister when they were both diagnosed with cancer in the same week. Thankfully, both beat their respective cancers, and live happily in remission.

How would your life be different without your twin?

Life would be different without Patty’s critical thoughts on John’s many decisions throughout his life. Without her, perhaps he would have made the wrong choice a time or two.

“I will miss her if she goes first,” he said.

How would your twin do in your current position?

“She doesn’t have an artistic bone in her body,” John joked. Although architecture wasn’t for her, she was happy to be a mother and a housewife.

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

“I play the evil one, but I’m really not evil!” he said.

(John-left and Patty-right)

Alisha Frydrych, P.E. – Civil Engineer; Suwanee, GA

Alisha Frydrych is mother to 7-year-old fraternal twin boys, Tyler and Jason. She says they are like night and day. Although they fight like brothers, they’re best buddies.

What was your reaction when you first found out you were having twins?

Since Alisha used IVF, she and her husband knew the chances of having twins were high. Because of the technology, they found out about their twins early, and were elated! They heard the first heartbeat at six weeks, and at just seven weeks, they were able to hear two heartbeats. At 11 weeks, she knew she had two baby boys! Alisha said she was especially excited to hear she was having two boys instead of one boy and one girl, because it’s less likely.

Would you want to have another set of twins? Do you ever wish you had your children separately instead?

Although she is glad the boys are twins, she might shy away from “doing the baby part” again with more than one baby.

Have you noticed any sixth-sense patterns with them?

The boys don’t have their own language, but they’re keen on what the other twin might be thinking. Jason and Tyler are in different classes in school, and had the opportunity to choose an elective class, with the chance they could be in the same class. Sweetly, both boys chose the activity they thought the other brother would like best, sabotaging their plans! Luckily, mom and teacher came together to put them in the same class.

What do they want to be when they grow up?

The twins change their minds monthly about what they want to be!

Jason’s current options include a scientist, an inventor, an engineer, or a designer (not too far from mom).

Tyler’s got his eye on a policeman or a professional sports player (currently baseball).

However, since the boys have enjoyed helping outside since they were little, Alisha’s father-in-law bought matching shirts to reflect their “landscaping business” established in 2013. We’ll keep an eye out!

(Tyler-left and Jason-right)

Adolfo Guzman, P.E. – Principal, Transportation Engineer; Suwanee, GA

Adolfo Guzman has an identical twin brother, Edgar, who is a mechanical engineer in Venezuela, where they both were born. When the twins’ father was in military school, he met their mother in California.

Adolfo decided to move to the United States while attending college in Venezuela. He said Edgar was doing much better in school, and Adolfo thought he should try things out in the US! His family supported his decision, and he has since built his career here (lucky for us).

What’s your favorite memory of your twin?

Adolfo has fond memories of being close to his brother throughout childhood and playing together. It’s been 13 years since the brothers have seen each other in person, but they keep in touch through Skype and through their sister, who Adolfo speaks to often.

Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

Adolfo said he has never felt the sixth-sense connection, but he remembers being very close to Edgar when they were growing up since they spent so much time together doing similar things.

How would your life be different without your twin?

The twins continue to support each other and talk to each other if they ever have a problem. Without his twin, Adolfo wouldn’t have the brotherly support.

How would your twin do in your current position?

Even though the brothers are both engineers, civil and transportation engineering are very different, Adolfo said. He imagines there would be a lot of questions!

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

Adolfo describes himself as the kind twin, while brother Edgar was less likely to share. Good thing we got the nice twin!

(Adolfo-left and Edgar-right)

Joe Bellanca – Associate, Electrical Engineer; Rochester, NY

Joe Bellanca and his wife have 6-year-old fraternal twins, Samantha and Nicholas. Born at approximately 4 pounds a piece, Joe remembers holding one baby in each hand when they were first born. Thanks to Sammy’s 2 and Nick’s 3 weeks in the NICU, the twins are happy and healthy! And, Mom and Dad left the hospital with a feeding and sleeping routine already in place!

What was your reaction when you first found out you were having twins?

Joe’s first reaction was, “What are we going to do?” After expecting only one baby, the idea of twins was crazy! But, Joe and his wife were ultimately excited to expect two babies.

Would you want to have another set of twins? Do you ever wish you had your children separately instead?

Although Joe wouldn’t necessarily want another set, he says he’s glad Sammy and Nick are twins. They’re able to grow up together, have a lot of the same friends, and are interested in the same types of things.

Have you noticed any sixth-sense patterns with them?

Joe said he’s never noticed an unusual connection, and said his children are opposites. Samantha is shy socially, but is loud and excited around friends and family, where Nick is outgoing socially, but is generally a quieter kid.

What do they want to be when they grow up?

Both twins have an interest in being like their parents, and like to practice weightlifting with their father. Joe notices Nick is constantly building things with his blocks and magnets, and is great at math, while Sammy is drawn to reading and writing.

(Samantha-left and Nicholas-right)

Adam Bentham – Architectural Designer; Jamestown, NY

Adam is two minutes older than his fraternal twin brother, Drew. Drew lives in Bemus Point, NY, and is studying to be a Pharmacist.

What’s your favorite memory of your twin?

Adam and Drew have been playing hockey most of their lives, and were on the same team for 13 years. In college, the brothers played against each other. Their parents, wisely, wore a combination of both teams’ colors and rooted for them both.

Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

Adam said when he and Drew are together, he sometimes feels the stronger connection.

How would your life be different without your twin?

Without his brother, Adam would have had to do more things on his own throughout his life. For him, having a twin meant having a companion.

How would your twin do in your current position?

“He would probably struggle and ask a lot of questions,” Adam said. But, it goes both ways. When Drew talks about pharmacy school, Adam is just as lost!

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

“It depends on who you talk to!” Adam said, adding that Drew is probably the nicer twin.

(Drew-left, sister Paige, and Adam-right)

James Lemoine – Code Enforcement; Dunwoody, GA

James’ fraternal twin boys, Maddox and Colton, will be 2 years old this June.

What was your reaction when you first found out you were having twins?

James’s wife attended an ultrasound appointment while James was working. He remembers getting a picture message from her with “two little peanuts.” James laughed!

Would you want to have another set of twins? Do you ever wish you had your children separately instead?

Although James wouldn’t have another set of twins, the boys do have a 6-year-old big brother. Ultimately, James said he's glad it happened, but he doesn’t know if he could handle the strict schedule again!

Have you noticed any sixth-sense patterns with them?

James says his twins are completely different, even down to the 9-pound difference between them. Son Colton is a spitfire and is always on the go. Maddox, known fondly as “chunkamunk” is bigger, stronger, and more laid-back.

What do they want to be when they grow up?

Although the twins haven’t declared their careers yet, older son Brayden loves building, especially with Legos. He’s even using the 14-year-old and up age group for Legos! James says his whole family is involved in inspection, engineering or building, so it’s in the boys’ blood to be the same.

(Twins Colton and Maddox pose with big brother)

Shannon Epps, P.E. – Principal Associate, Electrical Engineer; Greenville, SC

Shannon is 9 minutes older than his identical twin brother, Allan. Allan is a civil engineer, and lives and works in the Greenville area as well.

What’s your favorite memory of your twin?

Since both Shannon and Allan are engineers, they sometimes attend the same seminars. Recently, Shannon had a good joke on some of Allan’s colleagues, telling them “I’m not who you think I am!” Since the twins still look alike, they’re able to fool people.

When the boys were young, their mother would dress them up in matching lederhosen as a nod to their heritage. Although they outgrew the matching, many people still referred to them as “the boys” in their teenage years. Although both Shannon and Allan like having individuality, in the end they wouldn’t change it, because “you’d rather have your brother.”

Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

Shannon notices the ESP connection with his twin, especially when listening to music, which inspires them. The brothers typically react the same way, and exchange nods of recognition at the particularly good parts.

How would your life be different without your twin?

“Next to my wife, he’s my best friend,” Shannon said, adding that he would never want to be without his brother. “If he dies before me, it won’t be long until I join him,” he said.

How would your twin do in your current position?

Shannon said Allan would do just fine in his position! Allan owns his own business, and the two often talk through engineering and business together.

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

“We’ve taken turns being the evil twin,” Shannon said.

(Allan-left and Shannon-right)

Tierra Rascoe – Intern, Interior Design; Greensboro, NC

Tierra is 11 minutes younger than her twin sister, Trinity, and likes to believe she looks 11 minutes younger, even though they’re identical. Trinity is a Nanny in the Charlotte area.

What’s your favorite memory of your twin? Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

Tierra and Trinity have been close throughout their lives, and frequently finish each other’s sentences or say the same thing at the same time. Very punny, Tierra has her sister saved in her phone as “Twinnity”.

How would your life be different without your twin?

Tierra says being a twin has made her more outgoing, and has given her double the friends, since they can all hang out together!

How would your twin do in your current position?

Tierra, with a laugh, said her twin would probably struggle in her position. With as much as they have in common, it’s okay to have opposite careers!

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

Tierra admitted that while growing up, she was the more evil one, but lately she’s been more strict. Now, they’re pretty much evened out.

(Tierra-left and Trinity-right)

Don Buenger, AIA – Senior Architect; Woodstock, GA

Don is 7 minutes older than his fraternal twin, Ronald, and wants you to know it. Growing up, it was all about seniority! Ronald is enjoying his retirement in Chicago, IL, where the twins grew up.

What’s your favorite memory of your twin?

Don fondly remembers his teenage years, and the brotherhood he shared with Ronald. In these memories are good stories about Chicago in those years, the rare benefits Don enjoyed in high school, and of course, Ronald being kicked out of high school. Don’t worry: Twin Ronald started his own business and did very well.

Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

When the two were younger, Don remembers having a deeper connection with his twin. Sometimes, it still comes up. Recently, the two bought the exact same car, just in a different color, and neither knew about it! Don added that knowing each other well is also good for buying gifts!

How would your life be different without your twin?

“We fought a lot as children, but it was always us against the world,” Don said. The brothers are protective of each other, and have each other’s best interest at heart.

How would your twin do in your current position?

According to Don, there is “little coddling” in Ronald’s nature. Ron is more logical while Don is more visual. It pays to be visual when you’re an architect.

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

Although both brothers were mischievous in their upbringing, Ronald is the one that always got caught! Don likes the pair to be like the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.

(Don-left and Ronald-right; matching on purpose for this picture)

Mark Hanson, P.E. – Associate, Transportation Engineer; Suwanee, GA

Mark is 3 minutes older than his identical twin brother, Andy. Andy owns a remodeling business and lives and works in Norcross, GA. The brothers still see each other often.

Mark likes to joke that when you’re a twin, you know at least one of you is an accident!

What’s your favorite memory of your twin?

Mark fondly remembers sharing the same birthday with his twin, having cake together, and usually getting the same present, so they had two!

Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

Sometimes when he and his brother were younger, the boys would talk in their own language that only they would understand. Mark adds that when twins meet another set of twins, there’s a connection there as well, since they know what it’s like.

How would your life be different without your twin?

Without his twin, Mark says his life would not have been as much fun! With a twin, you always have someone to play with. For these brothers, it also meant their mother always dressing them alike.

“I think the world of him,” Mark added.

How would your twin do in your current position?

“Better than me!” Mark said, adding that Andy is a people person, a hard worker, and was raised with a good work ethic. I guess you could say Mark has that, too!

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

Mark and Andy are both nice twins in this brotherhood. But, Mark says they both have a little evil in them, too. “We’re partners in crime,” he said.

(Andy-left and Mark-right)

Michael Digh – Marketing Coordinator; Greensboro, NC

Michael’s fraternal twin boys are just a minute apart, and are now 12 years old. Liam and Seth, when they were first born, were sent home with caps to wear: Baby A and Baby B.

What was your reaction when you first found out you were having twins?

When Michael and the twins’ mother first found out, it was after Michael made a joke that they would probably have twins. Well, the joke became a reality, and she punched Michael in the arm!

After the twins were born, a formula brand kindly sent two cases to the new family, which the twins drank through quickly between 18 feedings a day.

Michael also remembers few double stroller options at that time, and choosing one they nick named “Big Blue”.

Would you want to have another set of twins? Do you ever wish you had your children separately instead?

Although Michael would not like to have twins again, he says he’s glad his children are brothers.

“As an only child, it’s fascinating to see those sibling dynamics come out,” he said.

Have you noticed any sixth-sense patterns with them?

The only way you’d know the brothers were twins is if someone told you. They boys have different personalities and are very different emotionally.

“They’re two completely different people who happen to be twins,” Michael said.

What do they want to be when they grow up?

Liam loves being in the drama group at school, and loves to act in plays. His dream is to work in Walt Disney World at the park.

Seth enjoys the more technical side of drama, like coordinating the lights and effects.

Like their father, they have artistic minds.

(Liam-left and Seth-right)

Shawn Danek, EIT – Civil Engineer; Rochester, NY

Shawn is 6 minutes younger than his identical twin brother, Mike, who lives in Charlotte, NC. Shawn and Mike are two of four brothers, all of whom are engineers. It must run in the blood!

What’s your favorite memory of your twin?

Shawn spent a lot of time skiing and building mountain bike jumps with his brothers.

Do you feel like you have a sixth-sense connection with your twin?

Shawn doesn’t feel much of a sixth-sense connection with Mike, but says that sometimes he knows what he might be thinking.

How would your life be different without your twin?

Even with two other brothers, Shawn says his life would definitely be different without his twin, because he wouldn’t have someone as close to him. They went to college together and had their first job together. They’ve been friends since the beginning—literally!

How would your twin do in your current position?

Generously, Shawn said Mike would “probably do alright,” which makes sense if he’s an engineer as well!

Who is the nice twin and who is the evil twin?

Shawn says he is the nicer of the two, but all of the brothers look nice in their picture!

(Shawn-jacket, poses with twin Mike-center, and brothers-ends)