If you have brothers and sisters, you know the relationship between siblings is special. Even though they get on our nerves and under our skin, our brothers and sisters are often our closest friends, fiercest defenders and most trusted confidantes.
In honor of National Siblings Day, celebrated annually on April 10, sisters Lana and April Martin, who were born three years apart and now co-own event planning firm L.A. Events, give us a glimpse into their bond.
HOW CLOSE ARE YOU AND YOUR SISTER?
April: We are always together, so much so that people think we’re twins. When they see one, people automatically look around the corner for the other. Honestly, people, including my mom, don’t even use our names. They just call us “the girls.” We joke that we’ll be 75 and either be like “The Golden Girls” or the couple on “In Living Color” who always ended a fight with “still together.”
Lana: April and I have the same family doctor. Our doctor once told us how amazing it was that we mirror each other. If she had an ailment, I would actually have the same ailment. He stated that we respond like identical twins. Some have called us twins in spirit.
WHAT ARE YOUR SISTER’S BEST AND WORST QUALITIES?
April: Her best quality is she’s very silly, which usually leads to me laughing hard and joining in. Her worst quality is that she doesn’t always believe in herself the way she should and sometimes lets people talk her out of her greatness. Lucky for her, her baby sis is quite tough and helps her with that.
Lana: April’s best quality is that she is selfless and generous. She is concerned about those around her. April has a big heart and is always willing to help.
April’s worst quality is that she believes she is the oldest, and according to our birth certificates, I was born first. I must constantly remind her of the birth certificate. We laugh about this all the time.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WITH YOUR SISTER? DO YOU HAVE ANY TRADITIONS?
April: One of my favorite memories (because I have many) is her doing my makeup for the first time. She teamed up with my cousin, and they practically forced me into it because I was quite the tomboy. It turned out nice, but I was not completely convinced. It took me a few years before I bought into the makeup gig.
Lana: One of my favorite memories of April is when she won (recognition as a) Modern Day Technology Leader at the Black Engineer of the Year Award Conference. I was super proud of her.
One habit that has become a tradition is that we call each other every morning while driving to work.
HOW DO YOU HAVE FUN TOGETHER?
April: We have fun in everything we do. We always laugh together no matter where we are.
Lana: April and I have fun taking mini vacations , shopping, going to comedy shows and getting massages.
WHAT MAKES YOUR RELATIONSHIP UNIQUE?
April: So many people tell us they wish they had the same relationship as my sister and me. We never really get tired of each other. We talk to each other at least four times a day …. Even if we get upset with one another, it never lasts past a day because it’s not worth our relationship. Although we’re not biologically twins, we experience the phenomena of things happening to us at the same time. We get the same sicknesses at the same time, and we also get the same blessings.
Lana: I would say that we are not only sisters, but we are business partners.
WHAT IS THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS PRANK/PRACTICAL JOKE YOU’VE EVER PLAYED ON YOUR SISTER?
April: Some kind of way, my brother and I convinced her that she was adopted. I’m not sure how we tricked her for so long, given that we looked just alike, but that went on for a few years.
Lana: I do not think I have ever played a practical joke on April. I’m the good sister.
WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE TOGETHER?
April: We were putting together a desk for Lana’s son for Christmas, and the door leading to the garage closed suddenly on its own. We didn’t speak a word; we just instinctively knew we were going to run. For some crazy reason, we both decided to pick up pieces of the desk before we ran out of the house and into the street. We later realized it was just the air conditioner coming on, and the partially open door closed due to the pressure change.
Lana: I know this everyday life for most people, but April and I have not been on a bike in over 20 years. My family and I went to Florida for vacation, and my brother, sister-in-law, April and I decided we would go bike riding. We are just riding along, and everything seemed to be going nicely. About a mile into the ride, I became dizzy and fell off my bike. April and my brother turned around to help me, but they were looking at me laughing, trying to figure out how I fell off.
Eventually, our children had to come and rescue us by car and take the bikes home. My sister-in- law became overheated, and I refused to fall again, so I got in the car. April decided to be the bigger person and keep riding, but eventually, she bit the dust, and someone had to come and pick her up, too. My brother was the only one who survived the bike ride and made it back to the house.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING YOUR SISTER EVER HELPED YOU GET THROUGH?
April: I was in my 30s and lost a very dear friend. It took me over a year to get past the constant sadness, but my sister was always there to encourage me. I appreciate her for that.
Lana: My sister was a great support years ago when I went through a divorce.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOUR SISTER HAS EVER GIVEN YOU?
April: (She told me) that my reaction in a time of adversity will always reflect who I truly am, so she encourages me to always try to choose the best response or reaction — which may not always be easy.
Lana: “Put your big girl pants on, and keep moving!”
IF YOUR SISTER HAD A PERSONAL MOTTO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
April: “Always keep shining” — She’s very optimistic and encourages everyone around her to see the silver lining in every situation.
Lana: April’s personal motto is, “ Work till it is done … always strive to get the job done.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT HAVING A SISTER?
April: Always having someone to share everything with has been the best. It’s amazing to have someone with the same creative mind as yours that allows us to come up with spectacular ideas and productions.
Lana: The greatest thing about having a sister is having someone to talk to about everything at any time, and that means a lot to me.
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