Tattoos kind of have a negative stigma attached to them, despite how common they are nowadays. I think tattoos are a beautiful and personal way of expressing yourself, but lots of people don't view them in that positive of a light. Whether it means getting an infinity symbol tattooed on your wrist or a masterpiece tattooed across your back, they're all a form of personal expression. I respect anyone who cares so much about something that they have it permanently tattooed onto their body. Because so many people think they have the right to tell me what to do with my body, here's an open letter to everyone who claims to have a problem with my tattoos.

To those who think I'm ruining my body, the temple: My relationship with God is not directly related to anything I do to my body. If you have a problem with putting tattoos on your body, then what about other sins like overeating (gluttony) or drinking alcohol? Unless you have a satanic symbol or blasphemous slur tattooed on yourself, I don't consider tattoos to be a sin against the body. Although others may not understand, for me, all of my tattoos have a personal and special meaning behind them. I don't cover myself in tattoos to hide God's creation. I have tattoos because I believe that they only enhance my image.

This is my biggest piece, a rendition of "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt.

To those who think I'm going to regret my tattoos:

First of all, you don't have a say in how I feel about my own body. I love my body, and I love my tattoos. Believe it or not, I don't regret any of them, and I still like my tattoos just as much as I did when I first got them. Second, even if I do one day regret my tattoos, I'll know that at one point they were important to me. Tattoos hurt, so if I'm willing to go through the pain, more than once, I'm obviously 100% certain that I want the tattoos. Besides, how can my tattoos hurt you or your image? This just in– they can't.

To those who think they're ugly or trashy: If you think my tattoos are ugly or trashy, I don't really care. Though you have a different opinion, I respect the art of tattooing. I think tattoos, when tastefully done, are beautiful, thoughtful works of art. I mean, you have to trust your tattoo artist to not literally scar you for life, I think that's amazing. The whole process of tattooing is interesting and deserves respect. Granted, I definitely have seen my fair share of tacky tattoos, but that's not to say that all tattoos are untasteful. Whether you like tattoos or not, you don't have the right to judge me based on how I choose to express myself.

I would apologize for being kind of salty about this topic, but I'm tired of being judged solely on my choice to have permanent art on my body. Thankfully I've never experienced serious repercussions for having tattoos, but I know that it is definitely a possibility for the future. To all of my tattooed readers, don't let someone put you down for how you choose to express yourself. Tattoos aren't for everyone, and if you don't care for them, that's absolutely fine, but keep it to yourself. Not everyone with tattoos makes poor choices or are punks or whatever other stereotypes you want to assign to us. Live your life and try not to care about how I live mine.