Many of you may have pondered what it would be like to have a twin, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have been born as identical twins. This unique phenomenon, known as ‘Monozygotic twinning,’ occurs in approximately three out of every 1000 deliveries worldwide (as per Wikipedia). We possess concrete proof of our identical DNA through genetic testing. This extraordinary bond grants us an enduring sense of completeness, making spending extended periods apart nearly impossible.

Being identical twins who share the same profession often leads people to assume that we are identical in every aspect, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. While our external appearance may be similar, our internal differences are quite pronounced. Sandrine tends to be more reserved and introverted, often taking her time for deep reflection before making decisions to mitigate risks. In contrast, Carine is characterized by her ambition and sociable nature, always seeking opportunities for change and being a proactive social butterfly.

With her cheerful and creative spirit, our mother was the heart and soul of the salon, beloved by her clients, both then and now. Interestingly, both of us followed in her footsteps, and today, we take immense pride in being the proprietors of a hair and nail beauty salon. Our mother continues to work alongside us, and together, we create a familial atmosphere that keeps our clients returning for more.

Let’s commence by offering a brief glimpse into our upbringing. We were raised by our devoted and hardworking mother, who instilled in us essential values such as perseverance, humility, resourcefulness, and above all, love from an early age. Our fondest memories involve accompanying our mother to the salon where she worked as a hairdresser.

Carine had been in a fulfilling and healthy relationship with her boyfriend for four years, and they both felt it was time to take their commitment to the next level. Their plan involved relocating to a larger city a few hours away and purchasing a new home. This significant decision, however, stirred a whirlwind of emotions within Carine’s sister, Sandrine. The prospect of her sister and nephew moving away was overwhelming for Sandrine, as they had played a pivotal role in her life. The moment Carine decided to sell her condo marked a heartbreaking moment for Sandrine. In a bid to preserve the cherished connection they shared, Sandrine made the decision to purchase the condo, despite lingering resentment. As Carine embarked on this new chapter with her son and boyfriend, Sandrine was left behind, clinging to the familiarity of her routine, and the pain of separation became increasingly difficult to bear.

Sandrine’s decision to buy the condo stemmed from her desire to hold onto something that would remind her of her sister. While she wanted to be happy for Carine as she embarked on this exciting new adventure, resentment continued to fester within her. Sandrine vividly recalled their tearful farewells, with her chasing after Carine’s departing vehicle, overcome by grief. While Carine was embracing her new life with her son and boyfriend in a distant city, Sandrine found herself trapped in the same daily routine, yearning for their continued presence.

Initially, Carine relished her new city life but made frequent visits to see Sandrine. Despite her persistent resentment, Sandrine cherished every moment spent with Carine during these visits. It was always painful to say goodbye when the visits ended, time and time again. However, after a few months in her new environment, Carine began to miss her old life. She started finding excuses to prolong her stays during visits. After four months of living apart from her mother and Sandrine, Carine realized she couldn’t bear the separation any longer and decided to return home. This difficult episode proved to both sisters that they couldn’t live apart. As single mothers, they offer each other much-needed support and love, and through our relationship, they lead happy, fulfilled lives. Sandrine gets teary-eyed thinking of the care Carine provided Sandrine with during the birth of her child. Currently, they each have a son, and it is the wish of both sisters that their sons cultivate a great connectedness as they grow older, just as these sisters have had the chance to experience.

Story by Carine and Sandrine

When life is tough, and it just won’t quit, we all have someone to keep our heads above the water. Whether it is a parent, a friend or a spouse, this person is always there to give us hope and support. In my case, it is my son. He is my reason to live. He has completely changed my life for the better, and I am thankful for every moment I spend with him.

My son was born when I was in my early twenties. Before then, I was living a typical young adult life. I was full of excitement, independent and free to do anything I wanted. I was very sociable and welcomed any opportunity to have a good time. As I look back at my life before the birth of my child, I realize that, to a certain extent, I was self-centred. Without many responsibilities, I only had myself to take care of. When I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t know what to expect! This was definitely an exciting event, but I knew deep down that it would change my life forever…

Then came the day of my son’s birth. I was thrilled, yet full of apprehension… But when I saw my little baby, I fell in love with him immediately. I remember this wonderful moment vividly. He had fair skin, beautiful blue eyes, and blond hair, much like his grandfather. His luminous glow reminded me of a ray of sunshine. 

Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you thought they would. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out with my son’s father. I went through some difficult times when I became a single mother. These moments made me realize that my son was my reason to live. Taking care of my child was my upmost objective. I wanted to provide him with everything he needed. Even though his father and I remained good friends, my son was no longer in the presence of both his parents at the same time. To compensate for this reality, I made sure that he never felt deprived. I enrolled him in many activities, including go-karting and hockey, to keep him on the right track. 

As I watch him grow up, I am proud to see that he is evolving into a beautiful, kind, and charming human being. He has become somewhat more responsible than other 12-year-old boys through the force of circumstance. As a testament to his maturity, my twin sister recently named him the godfather of her newborn son. He takes his role very seriously and even babysits his godson on a regular basis.

Over the years, my son and I have developed a very strong bond. He has allowed me to become a loving, virtuous, and judicious mother. Through my guidance, he is beginning life on the right path, and his presence is helping me continue life in the right direction…

Story by Carine 
Edited by Zoé G.

At 15 years old, I decided that I would follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a hairdresser. I was very young and clueless, and my mother wanted me to change my career goals. She didn’t want me to work with her for many reasons. Luckily, a well-known hairstylist named Stephen hired me at a reputable salon. Little did I know this individual would become my mentor and one of the greatest loves of my life.

What I call our “love story” began on my first day working at the salon. At the time, Stephen thought I was 19 and immediately began training as a hairdresser. Running on adrenaline, I could not eat, but my experience was pleasant. I was preparing a client for highlights when I started seeing spots. Oh no! My head was spinning, and then everything went black. I woke up to Stephen holding me in his arms… He told me that I had fainted and that he had run to my rescue just in time to catch me before my head hit the floor. This was a determining moment in our relationship, for he later told me that he fell in love with me at that precise moment.

After this incident, we became very close. I need to mention that he was considerably older than me. For this reason, our relationship was strictly amicable, although it often felt like we were a couple. Stephen and I developed an intense friendship and became profoundly involved in each other’s lives. Driving me to Montreal on weekends to allow me to complete hairdresser courses, he was definitely contributing to my career development. Stephen was a generous man.

I remember one moment in particular when he made me feel on top of the world. The salon had organized a formal dinner party, and we all had to dress the part. With the long evening gowns, the up-dos, and the elaborate feast, this evening was turning out even more magical than I had hoped. It seemed like celebrities surrounded me! My favourite moment was when we sat down for dinner. Stephen sat beside me and took hold of my hand. He held it throughout the dinner! Momentarily, I believed we were husband and wife. Being 16 at the time, I felt like royalty! When I arrived home that night, I immediately ran to my mother’s room, woke her up, and told her about my wonderful evening. “I was a princess!” I kept repeating.

Through my relationship with Stephen, I was able to experience many things at a young age. In a way, he kept me on the right path. Stephen allowed me to advance in my career and has made me the woman I am today. Unfortunately, our time together was short due to illness. Stephen passed away only three years after we met. I wrote this article in memory of a wonderful person. I will always love Stephen, and I can still feel his presence when in need of directions.

Story by Carine 
Edited by Zoé G.