Is it normal for two people on the same trip to get different processing times for Schengen visas, even if we applied around the same time?
Yes, this is very common. Even if two people apply together for the same trip, each Schengen visa application is assessed individually, so processing times can be different. It is normal for one passport to be returned earlier than the other.
Greetings. History lives here, but unfortunately, consistent timelines do not live in embassies. I have seen this often as a tour guide. Ancient wisdom says patience is key; the applications are likely just on different desks receiving individual attention. Look closer at your tracking updates, they often diverge.