Biracial Babies
When most moms become pregnant for the first time, they’re overwhelmed with curiosity of what gender their baby is. They know the possibility of having twins is there, but it’s never really something they prepare themselves for. That’s why it’s always a surprise to discover such news. But can you imagine the shock of finding out your twin babies look nothing like each other? When biracial couples have fraternal twins, there is a chance the babies will come out with a few physical differences. The chances of the twins looking like extreme opposites, however, are slim but still very much exist.
Kids who are conceived by an interracial couple are extremely unique. They’re born from a mixture of various genes and ethnic backgrounds that ultimately give them unique physical features that make them stand out from others. Biracial twins take it to another level. When a mixed couple is expecting a pair of twins, all bets are off the table — especially when they’re fraternal. And although it doesn’t happen all the time, it is very much possible for each twin to come out in two completely different skin tones.
Unexpected Surprise
Donna and Vince Aylmer were preparing to welcome only a fourth child into their family when they found out that they’d be welcoming a fifth child too. Twins are always a big surprise but little did they know, Donna’s pregnancy had one more interesting surprise up its sleeve. During the delivery, both parents were astounded to see two babies in complete opposite skin tones and hair color. Beautiful twins, Lucy and Maria Aylmer, were born in Gloucester, England, on January 16, 1997. As the girls were growing up, their parents divorced and co-parented the pair to their best abilities.
Different Ethnic Backgrounds
Their father, Vince, is full caucasian while their mother, Donna, is half Jamaican. With backgrounds like this, the parents were probably anticipating two mixed tone babies, but instead had two babies with completely different complexions. They looked around the same age, but they definitely didn’t look like twins. Lucy and Maria are not identical twins, therefore they were produced from two separate eggs. Because of this, each twin inherited different genes from the parents. There was no way to predict what skin color the twins would come out with. Nonetheless, this was still a great surprise for everyone.
Matching Outfits
Even though the twins didn’t look anything alike, Donna wanted to dress the girls in adorable matching outfits. From an outside perspective, dressing the girls up in the exact same clothes was a bit confusing as they didn’t look at all related. But did they look related to their older siblings? The twins have three older siblings. They have two older brothers, George and Jordan, who are both a light-brown complexion. They also have an older sister, Chynna, who is the same skin tone as the brothers. In comparison, Maria’s skin is very dark while Lucy’s skin is very pale.
Differences Outside Skin Tone
“Our brothers and sisters have skin which is in between Maria and I,» said Lucy to Daily Mail, «We are at opposite ends of the spectrum and they are all somewhere in between. But my grandmother has a very fair English rose complexion, just like mine.» Maria’s eyes are dark brown while Lucy’s are blue-green. Lucy gets her beautiful red hair from her Irish descent, while Maria has gorgeous thick tight curls from her Jamaican descent. Unfortunately, Maria wasn’t always a fan of her fabulous hair.
Individual Insecurities
Maria admitted that she used to cry about her hair because she hated it that much. Lucy, on the other hand, hated how fair-skinned she was. At one point, Lucy was even bullied in middle school for her complexion, being called adopted and a ghost. Despite their mother’s innocent intentions, the twins demanded her to stop dressing them in the exact same outfits at the age of 7. They knew early on that they were unique twins that didn’t look alike and even admitted they didn’t feel like twins while they were young. “We don’t look alike. So why should we have to wear the exact same thing?” said Lucy.
All Grown Up
Now at the age of 18, the twins have grown into two gorgeous young adults. They’ve each embraced their own personal style that contributes to their differing physical features. You may be wondering if these two young women still feel the special bond that most twins feel. Lucy has taken the rocker girl route, dressing up darker colors and edgy threads all while sporting facial piercings. Maria, on the hand, likes to dress more clean-cut and occasionally likes to bring out her boho side. How else have these twins grown as their own individual entities?
Contrasting Personalities
Maria claimed that she is way more outgoing than Lucy. “I love meeting people. I’m not scared to approach people,” Maria said to Inside Edition. Maria does admit, however, that Lucy has broken out of her shell a little but still much of an introvert. Nonetheless, Lucy is still a very shy person. «I’m terrified of going up to random strangers,» she told Inside Edition. In addition, she confessed that the two were not as close while growing up. «I think if we’d looked similar or even identical, then the bond between us would have been stronger when we were younger,” Lucy admitted, adding, “But Maria and I had such different personalities, too. She was the outgoing twin whilst I was the shy one.”
Effect Of Not Looking Alike
Almost all twins grow up with a natural bond with each other. We hear about it so often with some describing the connection between twins unlike any other sibling connection. So when a pair of twins don’t look at all alike, is this the effect that takes place? Do they feel more distant towards each other than any pair of siblings should? Although having a pair of twins in opposite complexions is rare, Lucy and Maria are certainly not the only ones. A person’s skin color is determined by a number of genes. Because fraternal twins come from both separate eggs and sperm, one twin can inherit more or less DNA than the other twin from each parent.
Rare But Possible
«By virtue of chance, one twin can inherit more DNA from a specific parent in contract to its co-twin, and that DNA can code or translate for things like skin color and eye color,» said Dr. Angela Bianco of Mount Sinai Hospital. «This is pretty rare occurrence to have two twins that look very different, but it certainly can happen with biracial couples, but it’s really just a matter of chance.» So what other lucky parents around the world have experienced this rare and beautiful phenomenon?
Meet Bobby and Riley George
Unlike Maria and Lucy, Bobby and Riley came out of the womb initially looking identical with light skin, brown eyes and curly hair. It wasn’t until four years later that they started looking very different from each other. Looking at this photo, they certainly don’t look like twins. Bobby’s complexion remained very light and his eyes eventually became blue while Riley’s eyes stayed the same and eventually his complexion became darker and similar to his father’s. The boys were born in Feltham, West London, to caucasian mother, Abigail Tongue, and mixed race father, Richard George.
Opposite Characteristics
In addition to their different looks, the two also developed different personalities as they grew up. Riley was more clingy to the parents whereas Bobby was more independent. Bobby also tended to be more active while Riley was mellow and easy going. The boys’ contrasting appearances must have been a beautiful sight to see. Unfortunately, not everyone understood and often times, the twins’ mother would receive weird looks from strangers on the street. The strangers would question whether or not Mr. George was the actual father for both boys.
Accused of Infidelity
The mother got a lot of unwanted attention and rude comments. «I couldn’t believe I had two different coloured babies,» Maria reported. «It’s so uncomfortable and awkward because they are insinuating I’ve had an affair. It can be quite upsetting, people not believing your child is yours.» Even when the parents brought Bobby to West Middlesex Hospital for a broken leg, the staff didn’t believe that the boys were actually twins until they checked the records. Nonetheless, the parents couldn’t be any happier. «We’re a special family, our two boys show that,» the mother added to the newspaper, «The doctors said they’re one in a million — and I agree.»
Meet Brayden and Cameron Norman
When expectant parents, Daunte and Jessica Norman, first found out they were having fraternal twins, they joked about one coming out darker toned than the other due to their mixed races. Little did they know, their joke was about to become reality once the babies were born. “We ain’t gonna have no problem telling these babies apart. We knew exactly who from who from the get go,» joked Daunte to Fox News. Just like the other twins discussed before, Brayden and Cameron, also received a lot of attention in public, some good and some not so positive.
Attention Everywhere
“They get attention everywhere they go,” Jessica told Fox News. Nonetheless, the Normans decided to use the situation in their advantage to educate others. Jessica has already explained herself countless times to others, assuring that the two are twins even though they don’t look anything alike. In addition, the couple has spoken out in attempt to give other parents in similar situations words of encouragement. Parents should be proud to have such special children so that the children can one day become proud of it themselves! “Be proud of it. Don’t be afraid of it. Embrace it, so your children do,» said Jessica in an interview with Fox News.
