Story time!

Recently, while doing my weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, I was stopped by a woman who looked to be in her late sixties. I took out my headphones and smiled at her, and she said to me,

"Oh darling, you are so beautiful!"

I was automatically flattered, as I was in workout shorts and no make-up. As I opened my mouth to thank her, however, she hit me with the rest of her backhanded compliment.

"Why would you ruin your body with those tattoos?"

I was floored. The first thing I could even think of was, Who even is this woman? Why did she interrupt my peaceful grocery shopping for this?

It took a great deal of composure and will power, but I calmly replied,

"I'm sorry that you think that ma'am, but I personally think my tattoos are beautiful which is why I got them to begin with. My artist worked extremely hard and I think they are one of the prettiest parts of me."

She muttered to herself and walked away. Even though this was a relatively novel occurrence for me, I still attract many looks when I wear sleeveless tops in public. I have two tattoos that cover a significant portion of my forearms, and one on my left shoulder. I receive both questions and compliments, and I love when people ask me about my tattoos and why I got them. Every piece of art I have put on my body thus far has meaning to me, and a great deal of thought went into the designing and planning (shoutout to Jay'e Jones, best tattoo artist EVER), so I enjoy talking about them with people as I feel it gives them a greater insight as to who I am.

I also understand that tattoos will warrant criticism. There will always be people that believe that the skin should remain unaltered, unmodified, and in its purest form. And that's totally OK! People are allowed to have dissenting opinions when it comes to body modifications, because it only affects ONE BODY.

My tattoos have zero effect on the life of the woman in the grocery store, or the customers that I serve, or the children that I nanny for.

My tattoos are not for anyone else but myself. I think tattoos are the most beautiful way to appreciate art, by making your body a canvas to showcase the talent of someone else all while telling your own life story at the same time.

My tattoos do not define my character. They do not make me a "hoodlum," nor do they imply I waste my money. They tell my story, they are my mode of expression, and they give me a voice without having to say a word.

So to the woman in Trader Joe's who felt so inclined to share her opinion with me, here is mine: My tattoos are beautiful, empowering, and special to me. Keep living your life, and I'll do the same (while spending all my money on ink).