St. Thomas has an abundance of twins and triplets. These siblings share special bonds, making their relationships different from that of traditional siblings. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Matthew (left) and Kallie (right) Larsen, juniors, describe their relationship as positive and fun. “I think we get along better than a lot of siblings,” Kallie said. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Kallie (left) and Matthew (right) Larsen believe in twin telepathy; “Yes, it’s a thing,” Matthew said. They frequently dress alike and don’t realize it. “We’ll realize we’re wearing the same shirt or the same color and it will happen for days in a row,” Kallie said. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Although Jackie Ellingson (right) is only two minutes older, both siblings admit she plays the older sister role in their relationship, which is more of a friendship. “We do all your typical best friend things, instead it’s just my twin sister,” Jackie said. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Jackie (left) and Robbie (right) Ellingson, seniors, consciously chose to go to St. Thomas together; they live together, studied abroad together, and have only ever spent seven days apart. “We get along so well and we go together so well and we enjoy very similar things,” Robbie said. “So it was really just the added extra, let’s go to school together and continue having fun and growing up together.” (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Senior triplets Brett (left), Blair (center) and Bryce (right) Fanning are almost attached at the hip; they take classes together, work the same shifts at Scooters and have lived together since their sophomore year. “I know siblings can be really close, but the bond that we share,” Blair said. “We pretty much do everything the same,” they finished in unison, and if that isn’t enough, they have older twin brothers too. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
The Fannings celebrate Christmas with endless activities and traditions. Every year they go to the Macy’s holiday display, deliver homemade Christmas cookies to neighbors and friends, collect cans for food banks and make pizza on Christmas Eve. “We’re all about the holidays,” Blair said. “Our house is crazy during Christmas.” (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Amanda (left) and Ali (right) Robinson, sophomore twins, are one of three sets of twins in their family. “Being a twin is like a nut roll, salty and sweet,” Amanda said. “There are some good things and there are some bad things, but it’s all one thing.” Ali said. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
More than just twins, Amanda (left) and Ali (right) Robinson are also best friends; they wear matching rings, which they call sister rings. “When we’re born, we’re blessed with a best friend,” Ali said. “It’s really fun being twins; some people don’t understand it.” “And you won’t understand it,” Amanda said. “It’s a blast.” (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Junior, fraternal twins Matt (left) and Maddie (right) Kilby didn’t originally intend to go to college together; Matt joined his sister at St. Thomas after spending a year at University of Wisconsin – Concordia. They’re also close friends, “We like to goof around with each other a lot and laugh,” Maddie said. “He’s probably one of the funniest people I know.” (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Matt (bottom) and Maddie (top) Kilby connect over their love of softball and baseball, which they played coed growing up. “We’re about as close as it gets,” Matt said. “It’s cooler to be a twin now than when we were younger,” Maddie said. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Alex (left) and Bella (right) Eckert, freshmen, are frequently mistaken as one another. “It literally happens all the time, but who cares?” Alex said. “That’s life.” (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Alex (left) and Bella (right) Eckert do everything together, just like typical best friends. “Alex is a really good friend of mind,” Bella said. And Alex said “It’s like having a friend, but also a sister.” (Natalie Hall/TommieMeida)