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Rempe twins featured in Marie Claire
GREENCASTLE -- Last month, twin sisters Tiffany and Tiana Rempe were featured in the women's magazine Marie Claire. As a health and fitness publication, the magazine asked the pair what they do to keep themselves in shape.
Softball was their answer, but not as a way to look good in their tank tops, as the magazine states. While the girls have played softball since they were eight years old, it is more of a hobby than an exercise routine.
"Now people joke with us about it," said Tiana with a smile.
The magazine approached the two while they were at the Twins Day Festival held in Twinsburg, Ohio. More than 1,800 sets of twins came together the first weekend in August for activities and a parade.
"We have been going to the festival for the last three years," Tiana said.
The 26-year-old twins started attending the festival with their brother-in-law Ron Gwinn's twin sisters -- whose names begin with "T" as well -- and Gwinn's non-twin sister. The Rempe girls have participated in the Twin Parade and the look-most-alike contest at the festival.
"We always lose (the contest). We look more alike now than in high school." Tiffany said with a laugh.
Last year at Twins Day, the girls took a free DNA test and learned they are identical twins, not fraternal twins as the doctors once told their parents Priscilla and James Rempe.
The two may share the same genetic makeup, but they don't share a birthday. Tiffany was born at 11:38 p.m. Aug. 26, while Tiana took a little longer -- showing up at 1:18 a.m. Aug. 27. Growing up, they had one birthday party with two cakes, of course. Having twins with separate birthdays is rare, but nice nonetheless.
"It's nice to have something of your own," noted Tiana.
Through the years, the sisters have strived to find their individual personalities and identity. Despite their best efforts, they still occasionally find themselves in a case of mistaken identity.
Tiffany, who is employed at HOP in Greencastle, said she has clients who don't know she has a twin sister. Someone she previously sold a phone to will approach Tiffany and say, "You sold me a phone, remember?" The confusion has happened with Tiana's co-workers at Crown, too.
While never pretending to be one another during a case of mistaken identity, they admitted to pulling the twin switcheroo once during band class at Cloverdale High School. The teacher never noticed even though the two played different instruments, they recalled.
Tiffany and Tiana's bond as twins has kept them close even into adulthood. Though they hail from Cloverdale, where their parents still reside, the two live five minutes apart in Greencastle. They are sisters to Tracy Young of Poland, Angie Gwinn and her husband Ron of Thorntown and the late Tony Rempe, who was their protector as kids.
"Having a twin means there is always someone there with a lot of the same interests," the twins say.