Throughout my whole life, I have loved people with tattoos because I have always been into art, and tattoos to me are a beautiful form of art. I thought tattoos were always eye catching and made a person "look cool". When I was younger, and out with my family, if we came across an individual with tattoos, my parents used to tell me how horrible they were. Not the person with the tattoos, but the tattoos themselves. However, I always disagreed with my parents, even at a young age. Growing up, my parents stressed to never smoke, and never get a tattoo. When I got to high school, I expressed interest in getting a tattoo of my own to my parents. My parents told me that if I got a tattoo they would not pay for college. I always knew this threat was not all too serious because if they did not pay for college, there was no way I was going because my seventeen year old self was not focused on college. When I turned eighteen, I went to the tattoo shop for my first tattoo. Not caring what my parents thought, I proceeded to get an anchor on my ankle. I got an anchor because it has been my family’s symbol forever. My dad is a sports fishing captain and my house has been full of anchors (real and decrotive) for as long as I can remember. When I got home after my tattoo appointment, I showed my parents my new ink. To my surprise, they loved my new tattoo! Since then, I learned to ignore the college tuition threat and proceed to get tattoos. My parents always end up loving whatever I have done and now support me in everything I decide to get. Their only rule for tattoos is that they are spelled correctly! Getting my first tattoo made my parents realized that they are not all that bad, and are actually really great!
Tattoos are artwork on one’s skin, they make a person unique. I have tons of friends who are covered in tattoos, and they are some of the most inspiring and most expressive individuals I know. They are also different than many people I know because they stand out. My parents always told me to be unique in everything I do. I think tattoos are a great way to be unique, express yourself, and have beautiful artwork on your beautiful body.
Often times, tattoos tell a story. I cannot tell you how many times I have come across someone with an interesting tattoo and asked what it meant, and received an amazing story behind it. Tattoos are an amazing way to honor or remember a loved one. My next tattoo is going to be a quote my grandfather used to say in Polish all of the time as a little girl. I have also seen many people get tattoos of their newborn baby’s footprint. I feel that having a permanent mark on your body for someone who is so close to you is so important and inspiring.
Tattoos are beautiful whether they are meaningful, or are just for fun. Many of my friends have amazing tattoos of mandalas that are so beautiful. I always hear people saying that you do not want a tattoo running your look on your wedding day. Meaning that a bride should not get a tattoo somewhere where it could be visible on her wedding day. I completely disagree with this. If you are proud of your tattoo, there is no reason you would be ashamed of it showing on your wedding day. One day out of your whole life should not determine whether you get a tattoo or not.
All I know is that if my children come to me one day and ask if they can get a tattoo I will absolutely say yes. I wish everyone would stop judging others for having something so beautiful on their bodies that make them different. Many of my friends have parents who cringe at the word tattoo. All of the people I know who are against tattoos usually judge other with tattoos, thinking they are “rough around the edges” or simply just bad people. I hope all of you realize that tattoos do not make someone a bad person. Ink does not alter someones personality and tattooed individuals are just as wonderful as non tattooed people.
I am very proud of me generation for making tattoos a normal thing and for making this world a more beautiful and unique place.
