If you had told 16-year-old Becca Twiggs that she was one day going to be paid to play with children and cover them in fairy dust, she probably would have believed you. One of my greatest dreams as a kid was to become a fairy. To live carefree, my hair in the wind, spreading magic wherever I go. And at the age of 20, I finally got to live that dream when I was hired by the Georgia Renaissance Festival. Being a fairy was everything I could ever hope for. Yet, there were some unexpected challenges and experiences that came with it.
1. People just kind of blindly trust you with their children.
2. There is a lot of flirtation throughout the day.
Sometimes, it's teenage boys who can't take a hint. Sometimes, it's older dads who can make you feel extremely uncomfortable. No matter who it is, it's always awkward and doesn't feel too welcoming. What makes you think I want to be hit on while there are some moms and children trying to take a picture of me?
3. You sometimes forget about your wings.
It's embarrassing how many times I've smacked people right in the face with those wings. Since I'm not actually using them for flight, it's easy to forget I have an extra three feet of width added to my frame.
4. Glitter. Glitter everywhere forever.
Glitter is everywhere in my clothes, hair, shoes and car. At home, my bed and shower always have a fine layer of sparkle. At school, I find my glitter covering my notes, pens, laptop and coffee. Months after my contract with the Renaissance Festival ended. It's a sparkle filled nightmare. No matter where I go, glitter will be there waiting for me.
5. Some of your fairy instincts might become a part of you.
Back when I worked as a sales associate at a dance store, I noticed slight differences in the way I interact with kids and young adults. I found myself relating to the childlike spirit of looking at the world with wide-eyed wonder and being taken aback and impressed by everything children tell me. And being able to make a baby dancer's day while fitting her for new ballet shoes is a good feeling.
An even better feeling is having a little 5-year-old inform you that you should consider becoming a fairy or a princess if you haven't already. Cue the melting of my little heart.
Then there was one girl, a sightly awkward pre-teen who I'll call Rose. Rose and her mom came into the dance store looking for stage makeup (which unfortunately, we didn't sell, so I refer her to a costume store a little ways away) and some tights for a cosplay. Immediately excited by this, I ask her what kind of cosplay she does and if she's been to some of the nerdy events and cons that happen in the area. Rose's face lights up, proceeds she shows me pictures of her costumes, special effects makeup and explains how she really wants to go to more cons and (wait for it) maybe go to the Renaissance Festival.
Cue me being a good employee of the Renaissance Festival, advertising the Faire, telling Rose about everything offered at our festival and letting her in on my secret double life.
Rose and I continue talking for what felt like hours, and I ended up giving her one of my comp tickets!
It's a weird job I have. But I love being able to spread magic where ever I can. I love that it's made me more outgoing, generous, and caring towards others. And that it's given me the best stories.
