It's not every day that you come across twins. When you do, you'll notice that they look very similar (if not the same), share similar interests, dress the same, and so on. They could be identical or non-identical, but the similarities will almost always be highly noticeable.

Today, however, you get to go on a tour around the world and find out about a whole other aspect of twinhood. Did you know that biracial twins exist and are more common than you would've imagined? Whatever the answer may be, you're in for a fun ride as we've got numerous real-world examples. Get ready to have your mind blown!

Expecting A New Addition To The Family

More than two decades ago, Donna and Vince Aylmer were over the moon as they were getting ready to add a new member to their family. The couple was already the parents of three children, but that didn't make the fourth pregnancy any less exciting.

One fine day, in 1996, this couple from Gloucester, England, got ready and were off to see their doctor for a routine checkup and ultrasound. Of course, they were nervous like any expecting parent but were in no way ready to hear what they were about to be hit with.

Bundle Of Joy Times Two

While at the doctor's office, the Aylmer couple learned that they were expecting not one child but two. Even though the news came in as a bit of a shock at first, they sighed a sigh of relief, knowing that BOTH of their babies were healthy.

Surely, their three children at home, Jordan, George, and Chynna, were also ecstatic to learn that they were going to have two more siblings to play with. Even though two more children were more than they desired and brought their family number to seven, Donna and Vince were ready to make it work.

Not Your Usual Set Of Twins

After impatiently waiting for several months, the twins finally came to this world on January 16, 1997. They were healthy and beautiful baby girls, but when the nurse brought them to Donna's arms, she was quite surprised and confused. Well, her reaction wasn't uncalled for, after what she saw.

One of them was as white as snow, had ginger hair and crystal blue eyes, and was named Lucy Aylmer. The other had dark skin and brown hair and eyes. She got the name Maria Aylmer. Since they were so different, it begged the question, how on earth was that possible?

A Rare Occurrence

The answer was quite simple. Donna was a half-Jamaican woman, whereas Vince was Caucasian. Therefore, their twins were of two different races. The chances of this happening were rare, but not impossible. According to Dr. Jim Wilson from the University of Edinburgh, there's a one in 500 chance for a couple to have biracial twins.

Obviously, the Aylmers were shocked upon seeing their newborns at birth because they didn't have the slightest clue. Skin colors don't show on the ultrasound, so it was unlikely for anyone involved to have known about their differences.

A Beautifully Mixed Family

Since they were an interracial couple, the three kids that Donna and Vince already had features from both of them. They had a light brown skin tone, which made it clear to anyone that they were, indeed, the Aylmers' children. They made it that much more difficult for them to explain to the world about their twins.

The story would've been much simpler had the twins shared similar characteristics. But they didn't, and therefore, they were in for a lifetime of explaining to people why they are, in fact, twins and why they were different from each other.

The Science Behind The Unique Set Of Twins

If anyone wanted to dive deep into the details and learn the science behind this rare occurrence, here you go. In Lucy and Maria's case, they are what people would call non-identical, fraternal, or dizygotic twins. According to Better Health, this happens when two separate sperms fertilize two eggs.

Well, that explains how two genetically different fetuses are formed. In this case, Donna came from a mixed family, which means that she carried the genetics for both dark and light skin. The chances of which child would get less or more melanin was not under her control.

Typical "Twin Things" Weren't Working Out

Having twins was a new experience for Donna, which is why she was happy to oblige with what parents generally did with twins. For instance, she and her husband would dress Lucy and Maria up in matching outfits to give the idea that they were sisters.

However, as cute as the tots were when they walked side by side, strangers would often be confused about why they were dolled up in identical clothes. The Aylmers could hardly sell the story of them being sisters, let alone twins. Things were beginning to get frustrating at this point.

Same, Yet So Different

In addition to the neverending questions and pressure from strangers, both Lucy and Maria had attributes about themselves that they didn't quite enjoy. For example, the latter was not happy with her curly hair—so much so that she used to cry about it.

However, things were much worse for Lucy. Other children were bullying her, often concerning her pale white skin, which made her the odd one out among her siblings. They even teased Lucy, calling her a ghost and saying she was adopted, and for a while there, she upsettingly believed them.

Becoming Their Own Unique Selves

The situations didn't pan out any better as the girls grew up. They were questioned constantly—so often that at one point, they decided it was enough. At only seven years of age, the Aylmer twins told their mother they didn't want to wear matching outfits anymore.

They barely looked like kids of the same parents, so there was no point in trying to do things that other pairs of twins did. Soon, they began to pick out their own clothes and established their unique identities— both in physical appearances as well as behavior.

No Twin Perks

Even though the little ones may have thought their big decision would put an end to their troubles, the questions did not stop entirely. However, things did get better in school as they were acknowledged separately, giving them a sense of identity.

However, Lucy and Maria were robbed of the perks that twins usually had with their own personal identifications. Unlike identical twins, everyone could tell them apart, which means they couldn't swap names and play tricks on friends or teachers. It was also quite simple to tell them apart, as they had very different personalities.

Growing Up Into Two Lovely Young Women

Like opposite ends of the same stick, Lucy and Maria grew up to become very different people. In addition to their physical appearances and personalities, the twin sisters developed their own tastes and styles when it came to fashion.

Lucy likes to wear punk clothing and enjoys getting face piercings, whereas her sister has a taste for chic fashion and following trendy styles. Maria's bushy black ringlets go very well with her choice of clothing. Lucy, on the other hand, has long ginger hair, which she likes to straighten.

Resurfacing As Adults

Not long after the girls turned 18 in 2015, media outlets made sure to bring updates about this rare set of twins to the world. They were all grown up and prettier than we could've ever imagined. Of course, their skin tones were now showing more, with Lucy flaunting the English rose complexion she inherited from her paternal grandmother.

Inside Edition interviewed the twins in 2015, during which they revealed their opposite personalities. Lucy was shy and did not enjoy meeting and talking to new people, whereas Maria was a social butterfly.

A Bond Like No Other

Even though the twins believe that their bond would've been much stronger had they shared more similarities, they are still pretty close and have got each other's backs. Their different appearances and personalities did not stop them from growing up as best friends.

As they grew up, Lucy and Maria did not shy away from telling people they had a twin sister from a different race. We're sure they enjoyed the looks on people's faces whenever they said so. Of course, it took them years to accept themselves as they are, but it all worked out.

In Their Twenties And In College

Accepting each other's difference despite being twins has been Lucy and Maria's life's anthem. It wasn't about to change as they grew older. The girls have picked their career paths and respective colleges to follow them. Lucy studies arts and design at Gloucester College, whereas Maria is pursuing an education with the hopes of becoming a lawyer at Cheltenham College.

In January 2021, the twins will turn 24, which means they may have already or might be very close to graduating and making their dreams come true. We can't believe the two little girls we saw at the beginning have grown up so much.

Even Friends Have Their Doubts

Ever since their story came to light, people have grown more and more curious about them. Their unusual story and ever so strong bond have inspired most people, while some cannot believe their eyes after seeing the twins' photos.

In fact, even their friends from college, who they've known for years, still doubt if they are really the twin sisters they claim to be. After having lived for over twenty years with such speculations, it's safe to say that the Aylmer twins are used to the questions and suspicions.

Proof Of Twinhood

Forget about every other friend. Can you believe that even the twins' closest friends have doubts in believing that they shared a womb for nine months? In fact, they go as far as to prove their story with their birth certificates. It cant be fun to have to prove their sisterhood through identification.

Nevertheless, it's sweet how they're willing to go the extra mile to prove that they are, indeed, sisters who are twins. Lucy even took the liberty to upload her birth certificate on her Facebook profile. Hopefully, that zipped the mouths of their acquaintances in doubt.

Do They Share  An Emotional Connection?

Inside Edition wasn't the only one to interview the twin girls. They were also questioned on Good Morning Britain, where the interviewer asked the girls if they have or even ever felt a psychic connection like most other twins do.

They were quick to say no although, Maria did mention that they occasionally face mysterious episodes when they both feel pains in the same spots. Coincidence? Perhaps they do have some sort of an unexplained connection even though it may not be as sharp and clear as with other sets of twins.

Each Other's Support Systems

Despite the hundreds of differences that the twin sisters may share when it comes to their physical appearances, choice of careers, sense of fashion, or personalities, they are only a text message away when they need each other. Even though Lucy and Maria's parents are now divorced, we're sure they're proud of the women they turned out to be.

We wish them well as they move forward in life, striving to accomplish goals. Somehow, you shouldn't believe that they're the only biracial twins you'll come across during your lifetime. Check out the next set for a jaw drop!

Another Pair From England

Here, we have another set of fraternal and biracial twins from England. They are also two girls from Birmingham. If the two children's skin color wasn't confusing people enough, their parents made it much more complicated by giving them intertwined names: Millie Marcia Madge Biggs and Marcia Millie Madge Biggs.

Let's just call them Millie and Marcia. Like Lucy and Maria, these two girls are also quite different in character. According to Good Morning America, Marcia is a tomboy of sorts who adores gymnastics and the color blue, whereas Millie is like a princess who enjoys anything pink or blingy. However, they seem to like the same hairstyle.

There's More Like Them

Here's another set of cute twin girls born to parents from different ethnicities in Quincy, Illinois. Kalani and Jarani Dean fall into the category of those rare fraternal twins who come out in different shades. Much like Lucy and Maria's case, Kalani had fair skin with blue eyes while Jarani, dark skin paired with brown eyes.

The girls who are now four years old tend to be more similar in other ways. According to their mother, Whitney Meyer's revelations, the sisters enjoy the outdoors very much while also sharing an equal amount of love for music.

A Biracial Twin Brother And Sister

Larry and Joanne Koffi are a couple from Tameside, Greater Manchester, who found out they were expecting twins during the pregnancy. Like any other expecting parent, they wondered if the babies would look like Larry or Joanne since they were from different races.

We're pretty sure they never guessed that they were getting one of each. In their case, the children were a girl, Millie, born with brown skin with black hair, and a boy, Mackenzie, who was white with light hair. According to The Sun, this family also struggles with people not believing the kids are related.

Not So Rare After All

It looks like fraternal biracial twins are not so rare in the UK as we have another British family who had a pair in 2005. The parents, Kylee Hodgson and Remi Horder were only teenagers when they had Kian and Remee Hodgson.

Born only a minute apart, the two girls look very different from each other. Even though it wasn't very noticeable at first, their differences start to show very well as they grew up. Kian was born with dark skin and beautiful brown eyes, whereas Remee is blond with blue eyes and pale skin. It appears as if they're the best of friends.

Completely Different Fraternal Twin Brothers

Here's an early set of fraternal twins who were born on March 27, 1993, in surprise surprise, in south-east London. James and Daniel, although twins, had nothing similar other than their parents. Alyson and Errol Kelly (the parents) described their boys as "chalk and cheese" to The Guardian.

James (pictured left) is the melanin-kissed one of the two. He is also very social and outgoing, into academics, and gay. Daniel, on the other hand, is everything else. He is shy, not the brightest, straight, and is also hoping to find work in the engineering field. They are now 27 years old.

The Ultimate Blended Family

Viviana and Dennis Ng are two very lucky children as they were born to a blended family that has come together from all parts of the world. Their father, Kenika Ng, is African-American and Hispanic, whereas their mother, Ashley Ng, is Hawaiian and Chinese. Talk about diversity!

Viviana, who was born four minutes before her brother, got her mother's skin color and features blue eyes with light brown hair. Dennis, however, is a brown-eyed black-haired little guy who is much closer to his father appearance-wise. According to IndyStar, Kenika also has two kids from a previous marriage who look very different from one another.

Facing More Challenges For Being Different

Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Breana and Brittney Cincotta are fraternal twins born to an interracial couple named Joseph and Marilyn. They are now in their mid-twenties and couldn't look more different from each other even if they tried.

Breana, who happens to be the one with the lighter complexion, has struggled with bullying more than we could imagine. According to Daily Mail, other kids her age would straight-up question her about her race and go as far as to ask if she is albino or adopted. Brittney, being the one with the brown skin like her mother, had far fewer problems to face at school.

The First Biracial Identical Twins In The UK

All the sets of twins we've looked at so far are fraternal twins. However, here we have a pair of identical twins who were born with different complexions. It's extremely rare. In fact, these two little girls became the first biracial identical twins in the UK.

From West Rainton, County Durham, Libby Appleby gave birth to Amelia and Jasmine at the age of 37. Both Appleby and her partner, Tafadzwa Madzimbamuto, were thrilled to see their baby girls although, it didn't take long for them to realize that they each had one daughter who looked like them.

Coincidence Times Two

Not everyone gets to become the parents of twins. Then, only a handful of them gets the surprise of biracial twins. However, this family from Hampshire, UK, got to experience biracial twins' rare occurrence not once but TWICE.

First came Hayleigh and Lauren Durrant, who had two very different skin tones. When they were around eight years old, the family was expecting a new set of twins. Not even in their wildest dreams did they think that Miya and Leah would also be biracial. Today, the older set is 19 years old, while the younger sisters are eleven.

The Cunningham Twins

When a Caucasian woman and an African-American man from Ohio had a set of non-identical who also had different skin colors, they deduce much of it. However, other people did not let things go by so easily. The parents have been criticized and bullied by society with hurtful comments, and we're sure it isn't a fun experience.

Nevertheless, the cute smiles of their kids, Ghabriael and Triniti Cunnigham, would make them forget all the bad in a moment. The boy had fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes, whereas the girl had glowing brown skin with dark eyes. They sure made for a wonderful family.

Sisters Like Friends And Cousins Like Friends

As we have mentioned before, biracial twin birth chances are as rare as one in 500. However, sometimes fate would play its game so that this rare occurrence would take place within a few miles. You're probably aware of where we're going with this.

The two women in the photo above are not only friends but also siblings. Somehow, they were both lucky enough to be blessed with twins and have them from different races. Ergo, in addition to being friends, these four kids are also first cousins.

When A Joke Turned Into Reality

When Hannah Yarker and Kyle Armstrong were expecting their twins, they had friends who slipped in the occasional joke, mentioning the unlikely scenario of one child being white, while the other, black (like the parents). Obviously, they got away with a snarky comment until everything their friends joked about became a reality.

Myla and Anaya were born in April 2015. We're assuming the two will grow up to be their own unique people because Yarker revealed that they were already very different at only one year of age. According to Mirror, Myla's very active while Anaya's more laid back.

Miraculous Birth Of Firstborn Biracial Twins

Carole and Brian were a couple from Bearsden, Glasgow, who had years of trouble getting pregnant. They went through so much heartbreak, having faced multiple miscarriages over the years. However, things changed when they were expecting what would become their miracle set of twins, Daniel and Martha.

Call it a mother's intuition, but Carole was so sure that the twins were going to turn up being both black and white, like herself and her husband. She was so sure of her hunch that she even nicknamed her unborn babies "Salt and Pepper." Well, Daniel and Martha didn't disappoint.

From An Almost-Broken Marriage To A Strong Happy One

This story is quite different from the rest. Here, both the mother and the father, residing in the UK, were from Congo, and therefore, were expecting two beautiful ebony-skinned babies when they found out about the twin pregnancy. Little did they know that the birth of their children would almost shatter their marriage.

Arlette and Francis Tshibangu were both shocked when they saw their babies. One of the twins (Daniel) had shockingly light skin. Francis was particularly disturbed and even went on to question if the baby was really his. As it turns out, he was, and the complexion difference was from a slight genetic mutation in the woman's family.

The DiMarco Brothers In Action

The winner of the 22nd season of America's Next Top Model, Nyle DiMarco, is also a fraternal twin. The ladies would be happy to know that he also has a brother named Nico DiMarco. However, if you're only focused on Nyle's looks, his brother won't meet the criteria as he looks nothing like him.

Even though not biracial, Nico and Nyle are very distinctive, appearance-wise. Unlike Nyle, Nico has pale white skin with ginger red hair (as pictured above). They were also both born deaf, although that didn't put a strain on their dreams. Nyle continues to work as a model and actor, whereas Nico, a DJ.