Tattoos… Some people love them, some despise them, and some people have just one or numerous tattoos. I fall in the category of LOVING tattoos! I have many and much more to come!
My First tattoo was a week after I turned 18… yup, just had to get one! I got a small Chinese symbol that meant “Eternity” on my back shoulder blade. It hurt like hell!! I was so proud of it though. I did my research and yes, it really meant “Eternity.” I figured that it was going to be there forever, and I want to live forever.. haha! 
Years later I got a star on the back of my neck. I went with a friend and she got the same star in the same spot. We thought it was so cute. So now I have a Chinese symbol and a star… Didn’t really match, but I loved them.
My cousin passed away due to a motorcycle accident. I’m very close to my family. I wanted to always have Ryan with me. He was such a free spirit and an amazing person all around. So I got a tattoo with his initials on my foot. Everyone told me that the foot is extremely painful. Well, I guess I have a high tolerance for pain because while the tattoo artist was inking me, I was giggling so much, he had to keep
stopping so I could catch my breath! it was awesome and that tattoo means so much to me. RJG! Love you Ryan.
I loved my star so much I decided I needed more! So I got 10 stars on my left side… Again everyone warned me that the side and ribs is the most painful spot to get a tattoo… Nope! I laughed the whole time because it tickled so much! I really enjoy getting tatted, it’s almost a Zen feeling, I am so relaxed.
My next tattoo was on my wrist, again, I was with my best friend and we got matching tattoos. We were inseparable for years. Every time we’d talk and say goodbye, we’d say “Luv Luv.” 
It was just our little saying. So we decided that we should get that tattooed on our left wrists. The wrist was the most painful! That little bone felt like it was on fire when he was filling in the “U.” Such a small tattoo and so tender! But, I loved it!
So now I have a nice assortment of tattoos, they were all kind of jumbled. It didn’t really make much sense. I finally came up with a plan and it all came together.
See, my birthday is March 10th, so 3/10. My favorite number has always been 13… 3+10=13. My plan is set in motion…
I’ve had that Chinese symbol for so long, I figured it was time to cover it up. So I got 2 more stars to match the one on the back of my neck… So now I have 3 stars on my back and 10 stars on my side, so there is my 13 and my birthday. Hey, it makes me happy!
Now it has been YEARS since I’ve had new ink, I figured it’s about time for something new.
Unfortunately, I haven’t talked to my friend in a very long time, the one with the matching “LUV”
tattoo. So I figured, what’s the harm in getting it covered?! After my whole experience in the hospital and starting a new beginning, I decided to get birds flying… to me it symbolizes letting go, fly free! So I covered the wrist tattoo. It means so much more. And yes, I already have a plan to have a gnarly tree above the birds and more birds added to it.
Now I have the itch for more ink… I need more tattoos! So the next week I got a single black rose. This has a double meaning to me. While the black rose is associated with death and mourning, it also symbolizes rebirth and rejuvenation. Again, I’m starting a new chapter in my life and the black rose fits me perfectly. 
Also, my favorite band, Volbeat, has a song called “Black Rose” and I love that song, so it also reminds me of that.
I decided I need more roses. So the next week, I went to add to this tattoo.
I also added the word “For Evigt” which is a Danish word that means FOREVER. It is also a Volbeat song. Well, you guessed it, now I’m getting a sleeve.
I added more roses to my forearm. I’m so in love with the ink work that the artist is doing! The shading is perfect and the vines are perfect.
I think I’ll make an appointment today to finish the roses, then I can move on to more!
How do you feel about tattoos? Would you ink? Would you not ink? Please feel free to comment and share your own stories. I love ink work and the stories behind what and why people choose the tats that they have.
Have a wonderful day!
