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There's a set of twins in South Tampa who have a birthday today.
They turn 11 on 11/11/11.
It is hard to know what to make of this. It is just a matter of numbers, after all.
But the human brain is wired to uncover patterns in numbers — even where none may exist.
There are those who see 11s everywhere and worry that this means something ominous is going to happen. There's a horror movie — 11/11/11 — being released today that explores this phenomenon.
People who like corduroy have a soft spot for 11/11/11. They think the date most resembles the lines of the ridged fabric.
Lots of couples are choosing the date to get married. Makes sense. It's an easy date to remember.
Then there's Melissa Belmont's take on 11/11/11. This date is about starting to let go. Her twins — Race and Brooke — are turning 11.
She remembers 11 years ago when they came into the world, tiny babies not quite 5 pounds. They needed 24 bottles a day and hundreds of diaper changes.
"It's really just gone by so fast," said Melissa, 43, a stay-at-home mother. "I just blinked and … "
The twins go to St. Mary's Episcopal Day School in South Tampa. They live with Mom and Dad, Richard, 46, and have a 4-year-old sister Saylor, a cat named Betty and a dog named Ruby.
We asked the twins what the day means to them:
When did you figure out you would be 11 on 11/11/11?
Brooke: Well, we've known for two years when my Mom and Dad told me. I thought it was kind of cool. I thought it was weird, though.
Race: Yeah, I thought it was cool and interesting and weird. Like Race Belmont with no spaces, it's 11 letters. That's random.
What are you going to do for your birthday?
Race: Can I put what I want for my birthday?
Sure.
Race: For my birthday, they have these Lego models of big buildings. There's a grocery store …
Brooke: I really want a hamster.
Race: Brooke, I'm still speaking. Yeah, there's also a Lego pet shop and a grand emporium that has escalators that look really cool. Oh, and I also want a cat.
Brooke: I really want a hamster, and there's this store in the mall called Claire's. I want a gift card there. They have nail polish, and that's where I get my earrings.
So what do you want to do for your birthday?
Brooke: Well, at night we're going to go to dinner with our family. But I'm going to a Taylor Swift concert.
Race: And I'm going to Legoland.
What sorts of things do you care about in 2011?
Brooke turns to Race: I'm going to leave that to you.
Race: I care about my grades in school.
Brooke: Yeah, grades.
Race: I have good grades, and she has good grades.
What does it mean to be 11 on 11/11/11?
Race: It makes me feel anxious. I want it to get to that day so bad.
Brooke: Yeah, and I don't want it to be over.
Race: Yeah, and when it's over, you've got to wait a whole year and it won't be as special. It'll be 11/11/12.
Brooke: And then it'll be 11/11/13.
Times staff writer Leonora LaPeter Anton can be reached at lapeter@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8640.
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