Having a twin brother means that I don’t have to worry about meeting boys like a typical Marlborough girl, and I have a built-in best friend, but my friends and family constantly compare me to my brother, Tiger. When we were in elementary school, we were in the same class, and I excelled at all things academic while he was really good at sports, baseball, in particular. Up until 6th grade, I was the dominant and responsible twin. We would do what I wanted and hang out on my time; I got into Marlborough, I had good grades, teachers liked me, and I got in little trouble. Now, we are more competitive. My rivalry with my brother compels me to set goals to be equal with him and surpass him in sports and school.

When Tiger and I started getting serious about the same sport, we were compared as always except for the first time he was much better than I. I was playing softball, and he was playing baseball until my dad put me on Tiger’s club team where I was really out of my league. Since my time on his team, it has been an even and steady fight between Tiger and me for who is the higher-achieving twin in every aspect of our lives. This rivalry made it much more important for me to do better in school because I had to hold onto what set us apart. While I did well in softball, I was known as “Tiger’s sister” when I stepped on the baseball field. I would get so nervous playing with him and feeling the need to be his equal that I’d fail.

Although this constant competition can be frustrating in that we try hard to outdo each other, that same competition also helps motivate us to achieve our goals. After 6th grade, Tiger started excelling academically too. This constant comparison by our parents has forced us to push ourselves and each other to do better in both school and sports. Being in a competition with my brother has helped me take risks and work to my full potential in school. Our competition is actually fun and makes working hard seem like a game. Getting report cards back at the same time is always suspenseful and competitive as we are always trying to outdo each other. In sports, we would have pitching practice, batting contests and wiffle ball games with each other, and the practice benefited us both. We still try so hard to outdo the other, even though we don’t go to the same school anymore, and I have stopped playing baseball.

Being compared to my brother made me branch out and try things that he hasn’t like singing, dance and soccer. Since going to new schools and doing different activities, we have had a little less competition, which makes it easier for both of us to focus on our personal best instead of competing with one another. In the end, I am happy that I am a twin because it has forced me to set goals for myself and learn how to thrive in a competitive environment.