The Ups and Downs of Being a Twin

By Annie Murphy

Family members usually spend a decent amount of time together; however, when you have a twin brother or sister it elevates to a new level. Sharing clothes, having classes together, and being confused by news reporters are a few of the difficulties twins and seniors of Dominican, Tommy and Teddy Popalisky, endure.

 

 

Born on July 24th, the Popalisky twins are now both adults at age 18, with Teddy being an hour older. While in the college selection process the twins have come to the realization that they soon will not be together. Although they often fight, “I feel like when I arrive to college it will hit me how much I love my twin brother, when I get to the dorm at night and don’t have him [there], I will feel really lonely,” Teddy confides.

The twin gene has been running through their family for generations. Their grandmother is a twin, and she herself had twins; Susie Popalisky and Sally Pandl. Susie also had twins: Teddy and Tommy, and Sally gave birth to twins Maggie and Marlee.

Teddy and Tommy enjoy sports in general, but both especially like playing football. In fact, newspaper reporters often confuse the two during games, and print articles giving “Teddy credit for my tackles and field goals,” and vice versa. Also, they are both huge Marquette University basketball supporters and Brewer fans.

However, they both have different traits as well. Teddy, for instance, enjoys country music, and Tommy “likes everything except country.” They each have their own rooms, except when their two older siblings Leslie and Joey come back from college. While they are gone, one of them tends to move into Joey’s available space. “We get along more now that we are older, when we were younger we fought every second,” explains Tommy.

One of the Popalisky twins’ favorite activities to do together is attending sporting events. “We love going to Marquette and Brewer games together because we both love them more than anything,” explained Tommy. “Except each other,” adds Teddy. While no final decision has been made yet on where they plan to attend college, they are both hoping to finish their senior year strong.

From basketball and football games or to a friendly face in the hallways, Tommy and Teddy Popalisky have made an immense impact on the Dominican community. “Through all of the ups and downs, Teddy is my best friend,” Tommy expresses.