There are assumptions that come along with getting a tattoo, but most of them are wrong. Society seems to think that people are bound to regret their tattoos when they are older, will not be able to get a professional job and got their ink for attention. As a person with a tattoo, I reject these assumptions.

I wanted a tattoo before I had even turned 18. I loved the thought of having control over what I did to my body and even though my parents were not keen on the idea of me inking my skin, I was. However, like most people, I wanted my tattoo to mean something to me. Therefore, I came up with the idea to get something to remember my dad by. My dad wrote a note to each of the special people in his life two days before he passed away. He was so weak at the time that my mom had to write for him, but he managed to sign his name. Little girls tend to have a bond with their dad’s and I was no exception to this rule. My dad always called me his “Princess” and since I was his only daughter, we had a special connection. In my letter it says, “you’ll always be my princess.”

During my freshman year of college and after giving it much consideration, I gave into my desire to get a tattoo, but I did not forget to be certain that it was special. I got the phrase from the letter my dad wrote me and below the phrase is “Love Dad” in his handwriting. It is hidden by my shirt at all times, so it is just a reminder for me, but it is a lovely reminder. My mom was very wary about me getting the tattoo but she came around to the idea and later admitted that she was even comforted by seeing his handwriting. Since my dad passed away when I was very young, I often fear I will forget what he was like or special moments we had, but my tattoo serves as a constant reminder of how loved I am by him. His memory is permanent on my skin and in my heart.