I got my first tattoo when I was 18 and graduating high school. My mom took me. It's a rose on my ankle. I had always wanted a rose because I admired my Aunt's rose tattoo. She is classy and elegant, but the small rose that can only be seen in the summer at the beach, let's the world know that she is a little bit of a badass. I thought I would get the rose on my hip like she did. But, when I got to the tattoo studio I wanted it on my ankle so I could actually see it.
I don't remember that first tattoo hurting very much, but that was 24 years ago so it might have.
I do remember taking care of it like that was my most important job that summer. I put sunscreen on it and stayed out of chlorine and and the sun so that my fuscia rose wouldn't fade.
Over the years, it has faded a bit. It's been there so long, I don't even remember I have it, unless someone points it out. It is a mark of my age because so many women of my generation have a very similar tattoo in the same exact spot.
My next tattoo was when I was 20. I had a fake tattoo that I loved of a Moon and a shooting star.
One night I was just finishing my waitressing shift and a coworker and I were talking about tattoos.
We both had one and wanted another one. She had heard of a new place that opened and so we stopped by after work. Should have been my first red flag when it was open late at night.
But, we were 20. I showed the guy the picture of what I wanted and he then he redrew it with his own spin on things. SO the yellow moon with a sweet face that I wanted turned out to be a blue moon with a wicked grin and a shooting start that looked like the head of a snail.
It was on my hip and it burned!!
I couldn't really see it because of my fat roll from my stomach. So for the next 20 years I only saw it when I was at the beach or reminded by someone noticing it. I disliked it greatly and waited patiently for it to fade. It never did.
So when I turned 40 I finally went to get it redone.
I had the moon joined by a sun and the shooting star covered.
It's better, but still not like the first picture I had of it.
At 41 I got my next one. My Feather on my foot. I LOVE my feather.
It is perfectly proportioned on my foot and looks amazing when I wear heels.
I was very drawn to getting a feather. Everywhere I went, I saw feathers. I ended up reading an article about feathers being signs from Heaven and how Native Americans believe that feathers symbolize the spirit of those that passed. I am sure it is no coincidence that the feather idea came into my mind shortly after my father passed away.
Last year, I turned 42 and went on "Spring Break" to visit the Wild One when he was living in Atlanta. We had a fantastic time sightseeing and hanging out. We had dinner across the street from a Tattoo Shop. I had been "Pinning" wrist tattoos for months. I knew exactly what I wanted - a Phoenix.
So we took a walk over the the shop and decided to get new tattoos.
Mine turned out exactly how I wanted it to be drawn, a Phoenix with butterfly elements. Curvy Wings. It was slightly larger than I had originally planned, but when they put the mock up on I loved it so much I decided to go with the larger size. It's also a little lower on my wrist than I originally wanted.
It's more of an inner-arm tattoo, which I have since realized, is some sort of game-changer when it comes to tattoos for women. After I got it, I started to notice wrist and inner arm tats everywhere I went. I really like them. But, I also noticed this was my first tattoo that had some negative feedback from others - loved ones and strangers alike.
It seems like maybe hip, ankle or foot tattoos are more socially acceptable for women or maybe just easier to cover up. But, the wrist or inner forearm seems to make a different sort of statement. I am not really sure what statement people think it makes, but something that is markedly different than other placements.
I was surprised at the negative response in some instances when I first got it. It seems to be a love/hate tattoo. People either really hate it and say something rude about it or they love it and comment on the artwork or the meaning. One person said it looked "disgusting." Maybe because it's more visible that my others and has a darker ink? Or maybe the association of the Spring Break connection? One person said it was "completely badass."
The comments have faded as the ink has faded a bit. With bracelets on it's barely visible. Anyway, I find it to be beautiful and I've learned over the years that I care less and less what other people think in general. The people that get it- are My People.
When I look at my Phoenix I am reminded of the challenges I moved past in these few years. Challenges with my babies' births, miscarriages, divorce, my dad dying, MS diagnosis, break ups.
Rise up from the flames. Learn life lessons. Move on. Be Better than Before.
Last summer, I went back to Atlanta. The Wild One and I were hanging out. I had not been thinking of a another tattoo. But, that day I had an image come to my mind of 2 butterflies facing each other. So we decided to go back to the Tattoo Shop. I tried to find something similar on Pinterest. When I told the artist about the butterflies, he drew it exactly like the image I saw in my mind.
The spot that looked perfect for it was on my lower back. I had always avoided the Tramp Stamp Trend, but that particular tattoo just fit in that spot so perfectly. Hurt like HELLLLLLLL though. I kept asking if he was almost done. He said, nope and it doesn't make it go any faster when you ask.
Butterflies are New Life and I feel like I am always starting over, again and again. Each new chapter of life is a new beginning.
Not many people see that one. I can't even really see it, so I forget it's there most of the time.
But, my daughter saw it one day right after I got it. She loved it! She promised not to tell my mother because even at 43 I still hear flack from her, especially about "inking up" my body.
So Bella thinks it's special that she knows about it.
She told me that when she turns 18 she wants us to get matching Unicorns!
I am definitely up for that!
In the meantime, I have been contemplating a tiny behind the ear tattoo next.
Pinterest pinning time!
"No RAGRETS! Not Even One Letter??"
