When the itch to make another film came late in 2007, I knew I wanted to make another documentary and I knew I wanted to make one about someone I already knew. My first pick was my best friend, Charise, whom I did indeed make a documentary about. But I also thought, since I'll be in Tampa to film that documentary, why not ask Michelle and Marlene Tamayo if they would be willing to allow me to do a documentary about their lives.  To my delight, they agreed.

I met Michelle and Marlene in high school. It was really that I met Michelle. Her and I were in a very out of control Biology class for a little while and she left a lasting impression on me. The first being that she was very down to earth and always seemed happy. I don't ever recall seeing her not smiling. Occasionally, Marlene would come into the class for a visit with Michelle and I only remember them giggling.  Other than that, I remembered their fantastic student government campaign "Vote for M&M" like the M&M candies.

I was back in contact with them in our early twenties but we were all starting our adult lives back then and sporadically kept in touch. It wasn't until recently that we'd reconnected I was able to learn more about these two wonderful ladies.  

I really wanted to know what kind of lives these two ladies lead that contributed to their happiness. I didn't expect a story of a perfect childhood but I knew there was some greatness contributing to their happy dispositions. I wanted to know who were the important people in their lives that may have contributed to their constant smiles.

The more I learned about their family the more I wanted to know. I could quickly see this wasn't just going to be a film about a pair of identical twin sisters but one about the special relationship between Marlene and Michelle and their large family where every relationship within it creates a level of security, hapiness and love, we rarely witness these days.

When Marlene and Michelle agreed to do the film, I was very excited. I set up phone interviews with them to find out more about their family. I was also able to witness how Marlene and Michelle interact with each other as adults as well as their concern and dedication to each other.

After watching all of the footage I shot for the film and home videos provided by the Tamayo family, I was overwhelmed, in a good way. There was so much to take in. It also became extremely important that this film was something not only I would be proud of but the Tamayo family as well.

I also felt this film was going to be a challenge to market and get people excited about on some level because it's a completely positive film. I watched hundreds of documentaries prior to deciding to do another one and not one of them was positive. I couldn't find any documentaries that focused on something good to which society could learn from.

I believe this film allows society to see what a functional family looks like. Especially during a time where dysfunctional is all we are being exposed to. This is a real family who lives life just like everyone else but who makes real efforts to spend time with each other, show affection and uplift each other. There need not be any conflict to be interesting or learn from.

In the end, it was much more than I expected and feel turly greatful to have seen such beauty in a family.

Produced and Directed by Tressa Sanders