Tattoo's used to be a taboo for many years. It was something that mainly army and convicts got, not what an average everyday person had. Recently this year I got my first tattoo and my main rant is about things my family and friends have said about it. Now I know others may receive worse criticism than what I have, but this is for everyone, not just me.

To start early in February I went and got my first tattoo at the wonderful Tattoo Factory. Now I went with my mom and she was aware that I wanted to get one, but it was a lot of backlash from my family initially. My dad completely flipped and my mom wanted me to get something small. I am fairly certain she thought that if I got one small one it would squash the urge to get any others.

Now, I still have people who are like, "you're done now, right? Tattoos are so stupid. Why would you want to get that? It's not going to look good when you are old."

Literally, every cliché that I could have heard. It was so stupid.

First off, it's my body so if I want to get a tattoo I am allowed to.

Second, the people who have tattoos now are not stereotypical convicts and members of the army.

Third, my tattoo does have meaning. I got love written in my grandma's handwriting to remind myself that I am loved. As for those worried about what my tattoo will look like when I'm old, well if that's what I'm worried about when I am 70 then I'm doing pretty good for myself.

I just get so mad that people try to force their opinion on me about tattoos, like, leave it alone.

What if I do get another one? Guess what it's permanent and I don't really want your negative comments. It's not coming off and I got it for myself so leave it alone.

Also to the people who don't like that I want another tattoo back off. I am not going to discuss what I am getting or where I am getting it because I don't want your input to ruin something that I have thought long and hard about. You are not going to support me so quite frankly the conversation isn't one that I have to have with you. Leave me alone.

This is for everyone though, when their family says comments about their tattoos or their friends think it's stupid. LEAVE US ALONE!!! It's not your choice of what I do. Also, tattoos can have significant meanings so don't bash something you don't know about or understand. Even if someone did just get a picture of a rose, that's their choice. You have no right to judge them. Here at Illinois State University alone, almost half the population has some type of tattoo. So times have changed. Let me make my own choices.