I’ve always been fascinated by tattoos.. Why people get them? What do they mean? Do they regret them? I usually have so many questions. To permanently alter your skin.. It’s a huge choice. Why would someone go through all that pain?
I’ve never personally been anti-tattoo. I’ve always been very against poorly done tattoos though. It’s for life, people!! Spend an extra hundred or so to make sure it’s perfect!!!
When thinking about something being permanently placed on your body, you want to make sure it’s something you won’t regret. I never had anything I would actually want branded on me for all eternity… until a month ago.
It hit me very suddenly. A culmination of ideas and meaningful things, a phrase, a picture.. and suddenly my mind was set. I was getting a tattoo. Unfortunately, the only place I have ever wanted a tattoo is on my ribs. Which is one of the most painful places you can get a tattoo. All my friends were warning me.. but when your mind is set, there’s nothing you can do to change it. Ribs it was. Bring the pain.
I found my tattoo artist by chance. A friend of a friend mentioned his name even though I was sure I would have to travel to Austin or Dallas for quality work. I checked out his social media page and fell in love. Watercolor tattoos… I never knew such a beautiful thing existed. A dreamy, whimsical, colorful piece of art. It had to be.
So I had the tattoo, I had the place, I had the artist… After a few emails and a month long wait for an appointment I was ready.
Three hours. THREE HOURS. No breaks, no coming up for air. The pain wasn’t horrible until the last hour. The skin was raw and tender and the tattoo gun was so unforgiving. I chose not to see the work until it was completely done, putting full faith in my tattoo artist. Finally… It was complete.
Early that day, so many things went through my mind. Is this the right thing for me? Will my mom and family think less of me? What if I’m allergic to the ink and die? What if the pain is too much and I sob embarrassingly in the tattoo parlor and beg for a cease fire??
In the end, I was determined and decided. I went for it. And I have never been so pleased in my life. This was something so special and so personal. I thought I would look at it in the mirror and have that feeling of ‘ahhh! what is that on my body?? Intruder alert!!’ But I look at it.. and it’s like its always been there. It was especially made just for me and I will forever hold it close to my heart. No regrets. Worth every last wince and sharp intake of breath.
haeferg 