Ever since I was young, I was really big into self-expression. I dyed my hair crazy colors and I stretched my ears to 0g or 8 millimeters. My grandfather died when I was 10 and that same year, I decided I would get a portrait of him tattooed on me as soon as I turned 18. That didn’t sit well with my parents but we eventually came to a compromise; I would get a tattoo at 21, after I gave it more thought. They still weren’t happy but they accepted that it was going to happen regardless.
Since I couldn’t go through with my initial tattoo and the ideas I had for others, I turned towards stabbing random parts of my body with thick hollow needles. My very first piercing, other than a typical double lobe on each side, was my septum. I got it the day after my 18th birthday and man, did my parents flip. My mother threatened to kick me out, to change the locks and to take away my electronics. I got home from school that day, changed from my school clothes, and left.
One of my best friends came with me, Caity, and so did my Yiayia. I went to a studio in Girard, Ohio called Skinethics and had John Vaughn do my septum free-handed. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had and when I when I went back again in 2015 for my same sided double nostril piercing, John Vaughn blew me away once again.
You would think that after having a circular barbell in the center of my face for over a year would have calmed my parents down. You would think that me getting my nostril pierced, a typical piercing that is seen on many teenage girls, would be nothing. In some ways, their reactions were better this time, but they still weren’t accepting. My father just looked at me like I was an idiot and let it go. My mom got up close and personal to stare at my new baubles, told me I was to never get another hole in my body again, and walked away. I considered that a victory, actually.
This past March I decided I wanted to start building my triple forward helix on my right ear. I know my body and I know that 3 piercings at one time, especially 3 piercings in the same area, would be too much, so I only got the single piercing to start me off. When I got ready to call Skinethics and see if John was in, I discovered that he no longer worked there. The guys down at The Gentlemen Tattoos recommended Lisa from Artistic Dermagraphics. If I thought I loved John, I was head over heels for Lisa.
Now, I hadn’t told my mom about my first forward helix piercing so when she saw it, she had a right to be upset. However, she didn’t say anything to me. She asked me when I got it and left it at that. About 2 months later, I was itching for another piercing, something that doesn’t really happen with me. I’m patient and waiting a year between piercings had never been a problem before. But early May, I found myself at Artistic Dermagraphics with my friend Nina. This time, however, I walked away with two new holes in my right ear; the second piercing for my triple forward helix and my tragus.
Again, I hadn’t told my mom about these piercings. She wasn’t even in town when I got them. I know it’s wrong to keep these kinds of things from her, but it’s just always been much easier for me to talk to my dad and to open up to him. Now, she didn’t find out about these two extra piercings until about 2 weeks ago, and she had a similar reaction as she had had with my nose piercing.
My parents have relaxed a bit when it comes to my body piercings but, as promised, I’m getting my first tattoo in March 2017 and whenever I bring it up? Both of my parents completely shut down on me and begin to get angry when I gently push them. I know my father says it in a joking matter, but hearing him say that he’s going to kick me out actually hurts. I understand that I’m their little girl and that tattoos and piercings aren’t something they’re accustomed to, but all they’re doing is pushing me away, emotionally and physically.
I know a lot of teenagers have similar problems with their parents or guardians but I want people to know that, even though you feel like you shouldn’t have to, that it’s your body and you can do what you want with it, compromise is the answer. Well, at least in my case it is. I compromised until I couldn’t anymore and by then, it was a tad too late for my parents to really do or say anything to stop me. I’ve held up my end of the deal, and soon it’ll be their turn. It’s cliché but if it’s meant to happen, it will happen, even if you have to make some nudges and compromises along the way.
