These Twin Couples Made Magic: Find out How Two Babies in the U.S.A. Pass as Cousins, Brothers, and Quaternary Twins

You know how the story begins. Once upon a time, two beautiful baby girls were born in a small town. These girls were delivered by the same mother, only minutes apart. And a few minutes after they were welcomed into the world, little Brittany and Briana opened their eyes.

Studies show that babies open their eyes about 20 minutes after birth to stare at their environment. Although they find it challenging to focus initially, they can still make out some images. So this is how Brittany and Brianna Deane got their first glimpse of each other.

Having a twin is like having an automatic best friend. They look exactly like you, but they're also more tuned to your emotions. So when everyone else can't figure out what's going on in your head, chances are, your twin can.

And being twin girls, Brittany and Brianna understood that they never had to be alone early on. Because no matter what life threw at them, they would face those hurdles together. That knowledge has undoubtedly strengthened them as they transitioned from childhood to adulthood.

Suppose you've never really understood the science behind the identical twin phenomenon. In that case, you may be baffled at the reality of these two beautiful girls, and that's okay. As much as science tries to explain the reasons behind some happenings, not everyone has an easy time grasping those concepts.

Thankfully, the science is pretty straightforward, though. One fertilized egg splits in the womb and creates two babies with a similar set of genetic information. And when these two babies are born, the similarities are most evident in how alike they look.

It's not every day that one comes across identical twins. But that doesn't mean that they aren't exactly popular. Between 1986 and 2009 alone, the number of twin births in the United States increased by about 75%. As of 2022, the identical twin birth rate is 32.1 per 1,000 live births.

So for every 1,000 babies born, 32 of those are twins. That also translates to about 3 to 100 or 3%. So Brittany and Brianna belong to the group of lucky babies who managed to beat those odds and join the growing population of twins.

You're probably thinking, "They're twins, so what?" But there's a lot that comes with being a twin. Being an identical twin somehow makes that burden heavier. One experience common to identical twins is the reality of being treated as a novelty by strangers in public settings.

Of course, Brittany and Briana may have also had to work harder at creating unique personas for themselves so people could tell them apart. But from their story, it's clear their uniqueness didn't affect their choice to dress alike all the time.

More often than not, we gain a newfound appreciation for our existence when we find like-minded individuals who share our experiences. People who can relate to the joys and struggles of being different can be beneficial in one's search for happiness and peace.

So, maybe this explains the unique bond that identical twins share. Girls like Brittany and Briana, who are so outwardly similar, could understand each other better than anyone else. So they could find solace in strengthening their psychological bond and facing the world as a united front.

For an expert's take, we turn to Dr. Joleen Greenwood, a Professor of sociology at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Being a twin herself, she's in the best position to provide a unique insight into the twin bond and what makes it so special.

Dr. Greenwood confessed that she's always felt that her relationship with her twin sister was more intense than her relationship with the rest of their siblings and parents. After all, having a built-in best friend must sometimes make her feel like she doesn't need anyone else.

With over 7,000 languages spoken today, it may seem unnecessary for twins to have their unique languages when they're young. But this fascinating little tidbit is just one of those things you can't possibly understand unless you're a twin.

Despite current belief, this phenomenon is not at all rare. 40% of twins are known to invent languages during their younger years. And while this autonomous tongue may be incomprehensible to everyone else, twins communicate easily in this way until they are older and sometimes take on conventional languages.

Brittany and Briana could have invented a unique language as children. Even as adults, they could be particularly tuned to each other's emotions. So when Brittany is feeling a bit under the weather but hides it from everyone else, Brianna knows.

Of course, when Brianna feels anxious about meeting someone new but tries to put up a brave front, Brittany can quickly tell that she's faking it. But if these twin ladies are so similar, does it mean they are the same individual, just in two bodies? We think not!

Who best to answer the question of the similarity between twins than the mother of identical twin boys, Jessica Bomford? In a 2016 article, she explained that her boys are a random and happy twist of genetic fate. And though they share many outward similarities, they are different as night and day.

So apparently, twins have the typical sibling differences that transcend their physical appearances. For example, one could love peanut butter, and the other could hate it. While one twin could be confident and loud but easily bored, the other could appear shy and withdrawn but have many friends.

We've already established that twinship has more than meets the eye. So for Brianna and Brittany, two doubles in a world of largely singular folk, finding a community where they could celebrate the miracle of their existence was on their bucket list.

Growing up, the two girls had shared a lot of first experiences. Their first day a school, learning to drive and getting their license, having their first period, and having their first crush. And what they wanted most in the world was to meet other people who were just like them.

The longing for inclusion is an innate need that all human beings experience. This sense of belonging means more than the need to relate with other people. Instead, it is centered on the feeling of security, support, and acceptance that comes from being in a group.

For our favorite twins, Brianna and Brittany, they got their wish when they attended the Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. The festival was created solely to meet that need and develop a sense of community among twins and their ilk. So every year in August, they and other twins from all around the globe could meet to enjoy a weekend of fun and celebration.

The first Twins Day festival was held in August 1976 when 37 pairs of twins gathered together to celebrate their uniqueness. Interestingly, what was meant to be a one-time event soon became an annual celebration drawing hundreds of duos from all across the globe.

In the beginning, the organizers couldn't decide whether or not the festival should be a local affair or one open to individuals from other locales. But in 1979, when the festival got its first share of international twins, one pair of twins from Lebanon and another from Poland, it became clear they couldn't keep anyone out.

In every celebration, there's room for a discovery. And we'd all agree that love is one of the most significant discoveries of all time. But of course, when Brian and Brittany Deane attended the 2018 Twinsburg Twin Day festival, they probably didn't plan to meet the men of their dreams.

They say love happens when you least expect and we're quick to agree. Because who could have guessed that 2017 would be the year when two sets of twins, the Deanes and the Salyers, would meet for the first time?

Now you know that being identical twins was the basis of the beautiful relationship Brittany and Brianne shared. But what must it have been like for Josh and Jeremy Salyers? Were they like Bomford twin boys? One shy yet friendly, the other confident yet easily bored?

Could they have shared a secret language as tiny little boys? Whispering secrets that neither their parents nor teachers could have any chance of interpreting? And did they visit Twinsburg that weekend in August, hoping to have a little fun and return home satisfied? Or did they perhaps expect to find a special someone who would set their souls on fire?

Artists, Songwriters, novelists, and scriptwriters have tried for centuries to perfectly capture the essence of love. Yet, while the universality of the emotion cannot be denied, it's clear that everyone who's ever been in love has had a different experience that's unique to them.

We can't say what the Deane twins were doing when they first set eyes on Josh and Jeremy Salyers. Likewise, we wouldn't know how the Salyers twins felt when they first caught a glimpse of Brittany and Briana. But because we know how this story ends, we can guess it must have been like seeing sparks fly.

A year before our favorite couple met at the world's largest gathering for identical twins; the festival celebrated its 41st anniversary. And nobody attends a festival dedicated to celebrating identical and fraternal pairs and other multiples unless they are really into their twinness.

Although some like to believe that the bond twins share is nothing but a myth, this annual festival is proof that identical twins indeed share a particularly intense bond. This bond sets them apart from the larger portion of the population who don't come in a set.

One of the iconic duos who made it to the 2016 Festival was the Simmermon sisters, Mylee and Cayla. As if looking exactly alike wasn't enough to get them noticed, these adorable twins shared the same hobbies and interests. As a result, they were both certified electrical engineers.

The Twins Day festival is more interesting for attendees because a theme is chosen each year. Once Mylee and Cayla heard that the theme for 2016 was space, they thought it would be fun to dress up as Wookiees from Star Wars.

The Twins Days festival may be the perfect meeting ground to find a romantic interest. But not everyone can be like Briana and Brittany. The event provides a rare opportunity for researchers to study twins and their relationship with each other.

If you choose to attend the next festival, you shouldn't be surprised to find members of the medical community present. After all, Geneticists, sociologists, and even forensic investigators come here to gain an insight into the multiple birth phenomenon. Even computer scientists trying to design facial recognition software that can tell twins apart aren't left out.

How long after you meet a potential love interest does it take to decide that they're 'the one?" It could be anything from days to months and even years, as attraction works differently with everyone. But we're not surprised at how quickly things worked out for our favorite twin couples.

Brittany, Briana, Jeremy, and Josh must have exchanged phone numbers on the festival grounds. We'll let your imagination run wild with how much fun it must have been for the brothers to set up double dates with their respective beaus?

A few months into the relationship, both sets of twins realized no one else would complete them as much as the other. They were enveloped by that feeling of wholeness that comes when you find someone who understands you as no one else can.

Right then, they understood that it was love, real love. But love isn't all mushy feelings and pleasure. It's raw and scary. Because once you give your heart to someone else, there's no telling how they'd handle it. These twins were willing to trust that they'll all cherish it.

For Josh and Jeremy Salyers, it took a moment to realize they wanted a relationship with Brittany and Briana. However, the ladies took six months to decide they wanted to make things official. Six months of dating before a proposal could be too little or too much time, depending on who you are.

For the love interests in our story, it was just right. Because as they say, once you know, you know. So because they knew that their love was real and true and pure, the Deane twins said yes to the Salyers blokes.

If we've learned anything from movies like "The Wedding Planner" and "Bride Wars," it's that wedding planning can be incredibly stressful for prospective wives-to-be. And the most taxing part of it all is shopping for a bridal gown.

If the demanding task of finding the perfect gown for one wife-to-be is described as an ordeal, we can't visualize how hard it would be when two are concerned. We're not talking of two random people; these are identical twins like Brittany and Briana who would want two similar outfits to fit their unique sense of style.

When we think of ceremonies for cis couples―shopping for the perfect outfit, the search for the ideal venue, and everything else―we often prioritize the female ordeal. As a result, it is easy to relegate the groom's hectic schedule to the background.

But most times, there's a disconnect between the grooms and the idea of the ceremony. Fortunately, this causes them to rely almost entirely on their significant others to ensure that the nuptials go off without a hitch. But we'd like to think that Josh and Jeremy played the part of devoted spouses and were involved in the planning.

A small intimate ceremony lets you spend more time with those closest to you. But with a big one, you don't have to worry about paring down your guest list because you could simply invite everyone that comes to mind.

But planning a big ceremony can take quite a toll on a couple because there are many more details to consider. At the same time, small weddings are perfect for couples who only have a small budget to work with. But the Deane and Salyers twins settled the debate in a way you'd least expect.

In August 2018, Apple became the first American public listed company to reach $1 trillion in value. It was also the month that the population of Australia hit 25 million and the Academy of Motion Pictures added the 'popular film' category for the Oscars.

And while all of those things matter, you're probably wondering what it has to do with the story unfolding. On August 5th, 2018, Brittany and Briana Deane and Josh and Jeremy Salyers exchanged vows in a joint ceremony at the 2018 Twins Days Festival. Remember, they'd met the previous year.

The Bevier and Lewan twins from Michigan have a similar love story. Kassie Bevier and Nicholas Lewan met in a psychology class while studying at the University of Michigan. The magic happened right as they saw each other, and not long after, they introduced their twin siblings to each other.

The two pairs of twins have been quick to insist that they are all individuals who work differently and have unique interests. But ironically, they've made a habit of celebrating memorable moments together―we're talking engagement and wedding.

The Deane sisters and Salyers brothers met the same day, dated for the same period. They even tied the knot together in a joint ceremony. After that, however, it appeared as though they were determined to take their twin bond to an entirely new level.

So it didn't come as a shock when they decided to live in the same home together. Of course, this would raise questions about privacy and the need for autonomy for anyone else. But for this quartet, it made perfect sense that they would stay together as they set out on that new chapter of their life.

On paper, the idea of the Deane sisters and Salyer brothers living together after their wedding seems like a weird, quirky thing that only twins would do. But before you judge their decision, it's necessary to understand that even random strangers think the idea has some merit.

Take the Michigan twins we met earlier. Krissie Bevier revealed in an interview that a woman at her church once advised her and her sister to find two brothers to marry. Interestingly, she gave that piece of advice so they could all get a duplex and live together.

Here's another example of two identical twins sharing space to show how commonplace this idea of twin couples living together is. Venessa and Kerissa D'Arpino both work as physical trainers in Medford, Oregon.

Lucas and Jacob Sealby are in sports medicine. But, unlike the other couples we've already mentioned, this set of twins didn't simply cross paths. They only met thanks to the matchmaking efforts of one of Venessa's clients. But once they agreed to a date with the boys, it was love at first sight all around.

It's one thing to be in a relationship with an identical twin, and it's another for two pairs of identical twins to be in a relationship with each other. Now add that they share a home into the equation, and things get a hundred times more complicated.

The question of everyone's mind is this, "Doesn't it ever get confusing?" For example, don't Brittany and Brianna sometimes mix up Josh and Jeremy? Also, don't other twin couples sometimes mistake one twin for the other? For us outside looking in, it would seem so. But the couples insist that it's easy enough to tell each other apart.

The Michigan twins both scheduled their engagement and wedding for the same day. Just as Brianna and Brittany both said "Yes" and "I Do" to Jeremy and Josh on the same day. But while living together seems to be a norm among the sets of identical twins we've come across so far, not all of them are excited to throw a joint wedding.

In an interview with the "New York Post," Kerissa D'Arpino revealed that she and her sister get along very well with the Sealby brothers. But despite their closeness, they weren't sure about getting married as a foursome.

Kerissa could have cited differences in taste or a need for the couples to express their individuality. If those were the case, we'd all agree that those are logical reasons to oppose a joint wedding.

But it turns out the decision is based on nothing quite so severe. Instead, Kerissa eagerly commented that two parties are better than one. So why have a joint wedding when they could have two different celebrations and double the fun? Undoubtedly, friends and family who love a good time would be more than happy to attend two wedding parties.

If you thought the story ended with Brittany and Brianna tying the knot with their dazzling grooms and sharing a home, you have another thing coming. We can't say goodbye until we find out how our favorite twin couples made history.

Sometime in 2020, the sisters shared a post on their Instagram page announcing that they were both expecting. Of course, their excitement had a lot to do with the fact that they would get to experience overlapping pregnancies. But, of course, friends and family would have been raving at the news.

From all indications, Brittany and Brianna had deliberately synced their pregnancies so they could share the experience and also welcome motherhood at the same time. But, of course, the idea wouldn't seem so alien if you know a thing or two about period syncing.

Period syncing is a theory for women in close physical contact with other women; their pheromones could influence each other until their monthly cycles align. But it's just that―a theory. To date, no medical literature has gone as far as proving that such a phenomenon exists.

Medical science may not support the theory of menstrual synchrony, but we can't deny that such a possibility exists. And the internet is full of real-life accounts of girls, ladies, and women whose menstrual cycles coincide with roommates and family members simply because they share space.

A 2016 research paper by Maryanne Fisher suggests that synchronous pregnancies could also exist. This would mean that women can intentionally plan their pregnancies to coincide. And whether the science agrees or not, one thing is clear―the Deane sisters wanted to synchronize their pregnancies, and somehow, they succeeded.

The sister's plan to fall pregnant simultaneously had worked out better than they'd expected. Soon enough, fans of the couples eagerly checked their Instagram page, waiting on any new developments in the sisters' pregnancies. What may have been too incredible would have been the couple birthing twins themselves.

But when the "Make I pink! Make it blue!" announcement came, we all discovered that there would be no multiple births. Not then, at least. Brittany and Josh Salyers were said to be having a boy. As for Briana and Jeremy, they were still waiting to find out.

Like Brittany and Josh, Briana and Jeremy had a baby boy by some stroke of luck or genetic machination. But while the former had baby Jax in January, the latter welcomed baby Jett in April, less than nine months later.

Historically, male children were treasured and revered above their female counterparts. But thankfully, the world has come a long way since then. Rather than prioritize the gender of their soon-to-be-born child, good parents are usually more concerned with their kids being born whole and healthy. Our twin couples got lucky in that aspect with Jax and Jett.

Baby Jett and Jax were born to identical twin parents less than nine months apart. And this had so many implications for the babies. First, they look so alike that they could pass as twins. And though they are legally considered cousins, science has thrown a couple more labels in the mix.

It may be too unbelievable to say that Brianna and Brittany created magic. But considering that their baby boys share genes, they could be regarded as brothers. You'll have to forgive a bit of exaggeration on our part.

Dr. Alexandra Burt of Michigan State University Twin Registry agrees that a case could be made for the children of our favorite couples to be considered brothers. After all, the baby boys share as many genes with their aunts as they do with their mothers.

So this is how the story goes―two sets of twins meet at a festival and return a year later to make their relationship official. Then, two identical sisters plan to sync their pregnancies and share their experiences. Together, this beautiful family of multiples welcomed the world's first documented Quaternary twins.