The Power of Two

And so their visits are cram sessions: jumping on a beanbag, karaoke, tickling, Uno, poking, sharing earbuds, playing teacher, posing for pictures, hide-and-seek, pillow fighting, swinging, giggling, swimming, digging a hole in the sandbox. This was just one afternoon during their most recent Chicago visit. Not every second is bliss. Like all sisters, they can get on each other's nerves-"Would you literally stop that?" and the sibling classic "Get your butt off me!" Always, they are in physical contact, as if to reassure each other that they're still there. "Absolute radiant joy," is how Jim describes seeing the girls together. "Seeing them is like sitting by the fireplace and feeling the warmth," he says. What does being together feel like for the girls? "A present," says Meredith Grace.

A couple of years ago Meredith Grace drew her dream house: two townhouses next door to each other for their families, with the girls' bedrooms connected by a door. Her latest idea for getting the Harringtons into the neighborhood: "We could have that old man move out." Though the Rittenhouses and Harringtons have thought about moving closer, for now the girls will have to settle for visits, like a recent joint trip to Disney World. Standing in line for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the spookiness was getting to Meredith Grace. When their boat pulled up, Meredith Grace climbed in between her mother and father while Meredith Ellen shared another row with her family. But as soon as they were off, Meredith Grace scrambled over the seat to clutch her twin for comfort. There, next to Meredith Ellen, she was right where she was supposed to be.

(Edit:Ruby)