If you have an SD card and a Wii. I recommend getting homebrew. find a way to get usb uploader GX, that way if you don't have a copy of Melee, you can just use an emulator via homebrew channel. Then download 20xxTE, the explanation is all on their website. It's a great way to start learning how to competitively play Melee. Also as a long time spectator and a noob Melee who just started last year, I'd like to extend a hand in welcoming you to the scene! My motto has always been that it's never too late, it's only too late when you choose not to do something about it. So don't worry about when you started, you'll look back on this day maybe a year from now and see how much you've progressed. You'll be glad you did.
EDIT: Also, I am so thankful that you're a girl, because we don't have enough females playing competitively. Even the trans community is small in the melee scene compared to how many men there are. It's nice to have a change every once in a while. Hopefully you can invite more female friends to join the scene to add diversity to the roster.