A mum with twin sons who look like they are 'two different races' has revealed how she has been made to explain that they actually have the same father, and says that even members of her own family have made jokes about who her babies' parents are.
You see, both of little Makai and Ellion's parents are bi-racial, so it would stand to reason that they would have a variety of characteristics to inherit.
Makai has darker skin, curly black hair and dark eyes, whereas Ellion has blonder hair, lighter skin and lighter eyes.
Their mother, 29-year-old Leaetta Harris, is of Caucasian and African-American heritage, whereas their 35-year-old father Lamba Crane was born in Gabon to an African mother and an African-American dad.
The young twins were born in Vermont back in 2020.
The parents were immediately struck by how different the pair look. Leaetta said: "They definitely look like two different race babies.
"People always ask if they are twins and then are shocked and confused when we say 'yes'.
"Some extended family have made joking comments asking if they really have the same dad, which they do."
She continued: "We think our kids are very rare. We are very proud to have created such different babies. We have never seen twins like the boys before, only online.
"The two or three stories we did read about had different parent combinations than us though.
"All other twins with different skin colours come from either a full white or black parent or one mixed and one full black parent."
Makai and Ellion are dichorionic diamniotic twins, which means that although they shared a womb, they both had their own amniotic sacs and placenta.
They were born via C-section just four minutes apart.
Their mum added: "They are two totally different people with their own personalities.
"Makai is more outspoken and emotional while Ellion is more laid back and independent. They are learning French.
"Makai is more muscular than Ellion and they have totally different head shapes.
"Twins do not run in either family and they were conceived naturally.
"We were surprised to see that one was way lighter than the other. We expected the babies to have the exact same skin colours as us since we are both mixed.
"Their dad had a moment of scepticism at first wondering how it was even possible.
"We thought that they were just light from being inside the womb and that their skin would darken over time but Makai got darker than both of us and Ellion is still just as light."
The cute pair have amassed quite a following on social media already, with their mother sharing pictures of them, whilst hoping that she can teach her children about the racism and questions she fears they could face as they grow up.
Leaetta explained: "We absolutely have to teach the babies about racism in the world they live in. There's just no need for racism - skin can be any colour and it should not matter.
"Their father and I have both experienced racism and sadly know it is expected.
"Since Lamba was born in Africa as a half white child, he went through a lot of things that most children do not go through.
"He experienced racism from both Africans and Caucasians so it is extremely important to him that we teach the babies about the subject."
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