Everyone has their fair share of unique fascinations and hobbies. It’s what defines us as individuals by making us special and distinctive. With that being said, hello! My name is Nikki, and I love sharks.

As most of my family and friends know, sharks are my favorite animals. Ever since I was little, I’ve had this strange fascination with anything shark related, be that books, movies, etc. And quite frankly, I think the obsession started in the ‘90s when I watched Jaws for the first time, and became hooked (no pun intended) on the entire franchise. From then on, I’ve watched countless movies involving sharks (yes, even the infamous Sharknado) and read dozens of books about the various species out there. In fact, I actually wanted to become a marine biologist at one point because I had such a strong interest in marine life, namely because of sharks, as well as conservation methods to help save the oceans. Unfortunately though, I ended up pursuing a different major, but that hasn’t interrupted my love for sharks, or marine life in general. I have so many reminders that sharks are my all time favorite. I own numerous types of shark related fan gear, such as shark shirts, socks, pillows, books, and even a shark shaped hat. Clearly, I’m the epitome of a shark lover (and borderline nerd, which I’m totally okay with). Plus, there’s this wonderful time of year called Shark Week that comes around during summer and pushes me into overdrive. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Hands down, it’s the best week on television, and one of my favorite times of the year. I try my best to watch all of the segments and learn as much as I can whenever it’s on. What better way to remind me of my love for sharks? Thank you, Discovery Channel.

And to push my shark obsession even further, I’ve recently been interested in going shark cage diving. How exciting would that be? It’s not for everyone, I know, but it would definitely be a thrill and a once in a lifetime experience. Shall I throw in a little #YOLO at this point? There’s always something that people seem to try to help push their boundaries or face their fears with, such as skydiving or simply going on a roller coaster. This would be mine, considering I’m scared of deep, open water; so yes, naturally I’d want to go in the ocean, makes perfect sense. I’ve always wanted to venture out and do it though. However, realistically speaking, it probably won’t happen for a very long time because it’s most likely expensive (ergo broke college student) and I live in the Midwest, which makes it a little harder to access the ocean. But, I’m hopeful that it will happen some day and I can’t wait!

Alright, by this point, you’re probably thinking I’m a bit crazy. I know, I know. It’s hard to imagine being obsessed with sharks because well, they’re a little unorthodox as a favorite animal, but hey, to each their own. And you have to admit they are pretty fierce looking, not to mention completely badass. I just love them, and they’re so fascinating to learn about, especially since they play such an important role in our oceans, which many people don’t realize. They help to maintain the underwater ecosystems by keeping the fish populations at bay, and preserving the health and well being of coral reefs by balancing out the food chain. That’s pretty amazing, right? Without them, the oceans would be so chaotic and unhealthy. Thus, sharks are crucial for our oceans, despite some of their negative reputations and portrayals. All in all though, they will forever remain one of my favorite animals of all time, and I totally embrace that.