RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Identical twins share a bond like no other, and for Gloria Lipman and Bernice Frank, that bond goes back a century.
This weekend, the twins celebrated their birthday and shared some words of wisdom they’ve gained in 100 years.
They may be identical twins, but Bernice Frank and Gloria Lipman never let each other forget who was here first.
“I am the older sister by 10 minutes, ” Frank noted.
“I was born 10 minutes after her, and I’ve been after her ever since,” Lipman laughed in response.
After 100 years, they still love to joke, but they also know how lucky they are to mark this milestone birthday together.
“This is a sheer joy that most people don’t really experience and we are very fortunate,” Frank said.
“It’s a gift of a lifetime. I wish it on every one of you here with all of my heart, my love and everything I’ve ever had,” Lipman told the crowd of family and friends gathered to celebrate at a Raleigh hotel.
Saturday night’s party gave the twins and their family a chance to look back on decades of memories and share time with the people who’ve meant so much to them over the years.
“I’m here because of all the love given and taken and shared, and I feel my life was just a blessing,” Lipman explained.
The event also gave the sisters a chance to do some dancing. Seeing them dance makes it hard to believe they’re 100 years old, but they credit their good health to staying active, mentally and physically.
“I have exercised going back maybe 50 years regularly, and I do yoga now, and all that has contributed to keeping me alive and healthy,” Lipman stated.
“I feel doing a lot of interesting things with your life keeps this going,” her sister added, pointing toward her brain.
Along with a healthy body and brain, they know a kind heart will go far.
“Lov[e] every single person that you meet because most people have goodness in them,” urged Frank. “You always have to follow your heart, and if you do, you don’t regret a thing.”
It’s that attitude that keeps the twins young, along with their sense of humor which was on full display at their birthday party.
“God kept us here to see all of you age as well as we have aged,” Lipman quipped as family and friends laughed in response.
Both twins still live on their own. Lipman is in Raleigh while Frank is in New Jersey, but they cherish their time together and look forward to celebrating more birthdays.
“Our grandfather lived to 103,” Frank noted. “We’re going to follow his footsteps.”
