Meet Rachel Melin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Melin. 

Hi Rachel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I’ve always loved the water and swimming since I can remember. There was a moment, I already knew how to swim though I had a swim teacher when I was young just to be on the safer side, I once laid on the bottom of the pool and just stared at her through the water, smiling, content. She freaked out a little bit, she was assured that I was fine. 

When I was in 6th grade, middle school, I had seen all these YouTube videos of kids and young teens wearing fabric mermaid tails from FinFun Mermaid, handmade, or from MagicTail. They even had their own mermaid shows on YouTube. I made my own mermaid tail after watching all these videos and wanting my own tail for a while. After a couple years, I got a tail from FinFun Mermaid and did my first local Pirate Fest as a mermaid. After a few years, I upgraded to a Mertailor tail. while it is fabric, it is a bit more professional looking than a FinFun tail. I still love my FinFun tails and still use them when I don’t feel like using my Mertailor tail. 

Things just went from there. I am now a mermaid in local parades and the local pirate fest. Mermaiding is just a hobby for me but I love doing it. It’s a part of me. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has usually been a smooth road. There are moments where it can be a bit frustrating, such as things not working out the way you had hoped, or other things. It all comes out right in the end though. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I don’t really do it as a job at the moment but I am a volunteer mermaid for the local Pirate Fest (Boyne City Pirate Fest) and I do accept tips. I mostly just do mermaiding as just for fun, a hobby. 

What makes you happy?
Lots of things make me happy. My friends, they are like my family and they always make me smile. Pets, Pirate Fest family, and family always know how to make me laugh. Video games, LARP (Live Action Roleplay), Pirate Fest, besides mermaiding are all things that make me happy because I enjoy doing them/playing them, I feel at home and content. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mermaidspirit.weebly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmermaidspirit/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MermaidSpirit
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQznRe_-xGUrGxrVTS2cvMQ