The Effects of Being Separated At Birth

Lacey (Mother):
“We were too young. I was sixteen when I was pregnant with twins. Charlie and I weren’t even dating at the time. How was I supposed to take care of two kids at the age of sixteen without Charlie? I couldn’t get an abortion because I don’t believe in them, but I also didn’t want another family raising my children. Charlie and I decided it was best if he kept one kid and I kept the other. We parted ways when the girls were born and decided to keep them apart from one another. Was it the smartest decision to split up our kids? Probably not, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I wish we kept them together, but the arrangement is fine the way it is now.”

Charlie (Father):
“We were too young. I was eighteen when Lacey was pregnant with twins. We weren’t even together at the time. I wanted to keep both of the kids and try to start a relationship with Lacey, but ultimately it was her decision and she chose to split them up. I would have been out of high school and fully capable of watching the girls. I would have found a job and supported the family that we created. I wish we could have another chance to redo the whole situation. I hate that we divided them like that. Caitlin needs her sister and her mother. I hope that one day they will reconnect once again.”

Caitlin:

“We are identical twins; born from the same mother and father, at the same hospital, but she is a total stranger to me. I never had a conversation with her or met her before. I live with my father and my sister, Danielle, lives with my mother. My sister has a better life. My dad always tells me that Danielle and my mother are rich. They don’t have to worry about paying for next month’s rent or having enough money to go out and eat. Yes, I am jealous of their life. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I ended up with my mom, not my dad. Why did they have to split us up like that? It’s not fair. Even though my dad and I struggle with money, I still love him more than anything. We get to talk about almost everything and he always acts interested even if he isn’t. I look up to him everyday and I wouldn’t be able to live without him.”

Danielle:
“We are identical twins; born from the same mother and father, at the same hospital, but she is a total stranger to me. I never had a conversation with her or met her before. I live with my mother and my sister, Caitlin, lives with my father. My sister has a better life. My mom used to tell me about the wonderful relationship Caitlin has with my dad. He cares about Caitlin unlike my mother. My mom and I barely talk because she is too busy gallivanting with my stepfather. I wish she would pay more attention to me from time to time. She doesn’t care about what I do or what I say. If I lived with my father, I know he would look after me and be interested in what I do with my life. I want to become a doctor, but my mom doesn’t know that. I wish she would realize that I don’t care about having money, I just want her love.”