Melissa Topor is a licensed medical message therapist who enjoys art, community - Midland Daily News

[Max Milne]

Melissa Topor lives in Midland with her husband, Brian. They have been married since 2007.


They met while both working at the former Chi-Chi's restaurant in Midland back in 1998. In 2010, Topor and her family moved out to Colorado following the economic crash in 2008. Brian was able to find work out west, and they lived there until 2018.


Topor has two sons, Brian, 20, and Nicholas, 17. She also has two stepdaughters, Jade, 30, and Emrys, 32.


Topor graduated from Merrill High School in 1995. She started working in health care, eventually enrolling at Metropolitan State University of Denver for nursing and later nursing science at Mid Michigan College.


How long have you lived in Midland and what brought you here? I was born and raised in Midland, but we moved back from Colorado following the loss of my father-in-law. We came back to help support my mother-in-law. During that time is when I got involved with Reiki and massage therapy.


What is your profession? I am a licensed medical massage therapist. I got my medical license about a year ago. I work at Intuitive Touch Spa in the Ashman Circle. I also have my own practice in Coleman where I do massage therapy, quantum healing hypnosis technique, sound healing and Reiki. Reiki is a holistic therapy. My husband likes to call it relaxation therapy. People also call it "energy work" or "body work." It is a complementary therapy relating to energy healing.


I am also a lead staff member for Community Mental Health, where I take care of people with special needs. I've been working there since 2019. So, I kind of have three jobs that I go between.


What are some of your interests and hobbies? I like to work with acrylic paint and I enjoy just about anything crafty. I also like to run and do lots of physical activities. I enjoy being of service to others and helping out in the community.


What are your favorite things to do in Midland? I love the Tridge. Me and my CMH client like to go to the City Forest to do some walking, also the Chippewa Nature Center and Dow Gardens. I love all the activities downtown, especially in the summer, but we like to visit in the winter as well. I love that we're close to water, so wherever you go, you can do a bit of fishing or swimming.


What do you enjoy about living in this community? I love the fact that it's tight-knit. I lived out in some big cities in Colorado and would go long spans without seeing somebody I knew. Here, you know a lot of familiar faces. I love the community here, the camaraderie and the fact that we all rely on each other.


What is a message you’d like to give the community? I really believe in supporting each other with kindness. My motto is to be the drop that creates the wave of love, of kindness.


Max Milne covers community news as community editor at the Midland Daily News. Have an idea for the next Meet Your Neighbor? Email Max at max.milne@hearst.com and let him know!