Meet Your Neighbor is a weekly feature by Spartan Weekly News writer Grace Anne Johnson. If you’d like to be featured, or know someone that would be a great candidate to be featured, please email us at sprtnwkly@aol.com or call 864.574.1360.
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They say that you can’t do it all, but Melissa Rhine just might be proving that wrong. The mom of three was born and raised in Spartanburg, and has spent nearly her whole life local. Rhine spent a few years in Columbia to attend college for USC, but came back to Spartanburg immediately after graduation — it just felt like home.
She and her husband have since bought and renovated two homes in Spartanburg, which has made their family feel even more deeply rooted in the Spartanburg community. When asked what it is that makes the area feel so special, she immediately cites the people.
“We love that Spartanburg is big enough to have great food, events, and opportunities, but not so big that it loses its sense of connection. Most people are genuinely kind, and there’s a strong sense of community here that’s really special. It’s a great place to raise a family and build something meaningful.”
And that’s exactly what she’s doing. Rhine’s life is never dull. In addition to caring for her three children, ages 7, 5, and 2, which she says keeps life busy “in the best way,” Rhine also works as the Managing Editor of Belle Magazine, a magazine for the modern Southern woman headquartered here in Spartanburg. “I get to work closely with small business owners, creatives, and brands throughout the Upstate,” she shares. It’s exciting, fulfilling work that keeps her busy amidst the many demands of motherhood. “My days are a mix of work, school drop-offs, sports practices, deadlines, emails, and squeezing in family time whenever I can,” she says. “It’s full, fast-paced, and rarely quiet, but I really love this season of life.”
While so many women feel torn between being mothers and pursuing their careers, Rhine says investing in both sides is what makes her life so special.
“I absolutely love my kids and the ages they’re in right now,” she says. “It can feel like total chaos some days, but it’s also incredibly fun and sweet. I also really love the work I get to do — curating content, writing articles, and helping tell the stories of people and businesses in our community. Being able to do creative work while still being present for my family is something I don’t take for granted.”
Rhine shares that there are two driving forces behind her work: creativity and community. “I love storytelling, whether that’s through writing, design, or social media, and I really enjoy helping small businesses and creatives feel seen. I’ve also always loved home decor and renovation projects, cooking, entertaining, and finding inspiration in everyday life — those things have always fueled my creativity.”
Stepping into 2026, she’s excited to lean even further into that creativity in all aspects of her life, from home projects to kitchen experimentation, creating simply for the enjoyment of it and letting herself explore ideas without pressure. It’s easy when working in a creative field to lose your spark, but Rhine is eager to keep joy at the forefront of it all. She also hopes to get outside more in the new year and be more intentional about slowing down when she can.
Professionally, she’s excited to continue shaping stories, expanding her skill sets, and doing work that feels both meaningful and creative, while also finding her balance as both a present mom and a professional contributor. If anyone can do it, it’s Rhine — with connection continuing to be the hallmark of it all. Know someone who should be featured? Nominate them via email at sprtnwkly@aol.com.
