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NEPHI — A 90th birthday is a big milestone — but 90 years times two?
Sisters Veda Parkin and Velda Hansen, of Nephi, just celebrated their 90th birthday. The identical twins, born in May of 1926 in Uintah County, say they have been always looked and dressed alike.
"From the time we were born we were inseparable, two peas in a pod," Velda said.
With the same style of frames for their glasses, same haircut, blouse and shoes; on the only way to tell them apart on the day of our interview was by their socks.
The women say even their family members get them mixed up sometimes.
"One of my grandsons went to his dad, my oldest son, and said, 'Dad, which is my real grandmother?'" Velda said.
The hardest day of their lives was when Velda got married.
"You'd thought I was at her funeral," Veda said. "I had a hard time liking her husband because he had taken my best friend and big sister away from me."
Now both widowed, the sisters have been roommates for almost 20 years. They enjoy walks together and are known around town for picking up litter as they go.
In fact, the only thing they argue about is who is going to leave the other behind.
"She really ought to die first because she was born first, but she won't," Veda said.
"I don't have any feelings about that," Velda said. "I'm afraid that I will be left alone and (of) how bad I will miss her."
After nine decades together, Veda and Velda are still in good health and plan to keep walking together for years to come.
"We've had a good life together," Veda said.
