My brother and I are fraternal twins, 10 minutes apart, and very different indeed. When we were younger we couldn't stand each other. We'd get in both verbal and physical fights; no one could stop us.

As we grew older the fighting stopped, but without the fighting we were left with pretty much nothing to say to each other. Sure, at times we'd have a laugh or go down to the park to get ice cream but it was all just skin deep.

I know that we both love each other deep down inside, but we've never really bonded.

Last year my mother sent me off to a boarding school in Toronto, while my brother stayed behind. It hurt a lot knowing that we wouldn't see each other, and that there'd be a 12 hour difference... still, we managed to talk on the phone or e-mail if we weren't too busy.

This year I spent my first birthday without him (my Sweet 16th)- it didn't feel right, after all we usually blew out the candles and cut the cake together. This time, my birthday wish was to always have a close contact with him, no matter what.

A few months later, I was sick with the flu - my mother called and told me my brother had the flu as well.

Another time, I hurt my toe while in gym class and couldn't walk properly for a week; my brother hurt his toe in the exact same place while playing soccer with his friends the same day.

It could have been coincidental but at times in random moments, I'd feel an overwhelming emotion to call him up just to see if he's okay - he's told me more than once that he was glad I called - he needed someone to talk to.

He's opened up a lot more now, and keeps me up to date on the comings and goings of my friends back home.

It would seem quite silly wishing on your birthday to be closer to your twin but I was glad I proved it to myself that I did not want to lose contact with him at all. Now we're even closer than before. I guess it is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Amanda

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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