I might just be a nosy person, but I love asking people for the meaning behind their ink. It can be really personal - or not - but regardless, I think it's so interesting to know why people choose certain things to put on their body forever. If you are interested or nosy like me, here are the true meanings behind my two tattoos.
1. "Love Grandmom"
This was my first tattoo. The text in the tattoo is from the last Christmas card that my Grandmom gave to me. She passed away on that Christmas Day so I decided that was where I wanted to get her handwriting from. The stars surrounding the text are the same five blue stars that my Granddad also had tattooed on him. Once they both had passed away, I put the two together and that is where the design of the tattoo came from. My grandparents were some of the most incredible people in my life and influenced me in so many ways that they never got to see. Every single day I make a promise to make them proud of me and this tattoo serves as a reminder of that. On days that I feel down about myself or something going on in my life, I find myself looking at the tattoo and feeling their presence. It is so comforting to know that I have them with me everywhere I go.
2. The Magnolia Flower.
This one is my most recent tattoo and I love showing it off whenever I get the chance. This tattoo has a lot deeper of a meaning than people realize. I got this tattoo with my roommates at the time. We all got different versions of the magnolia flower and in different places on our bodies. I think we did this because the tattoo meant the same but different things for all of us. We all met in the Magnolia dorm at Florida State during our freshman year so the magnolia flower was perfect. However, for me this tattoo means so much more than simply meeting some of my best friends. This tattoo represented me finding hope. I lived in such a dark mind for so long and these girls brought the light back out of me. They gave me hope. Hope that everything is going to be okay when I do not think it will and if I need them, they will be there without hesitation. Hope that I can do or be whatever it is I want to in life and that I am more than enough for this world. I can never thank them enough for bringing the true Katie out to the world and making me feel so at home with them. I look at this tattoo and smile because I appreciate and cherish the memories/moments/experiences tied to it. I feel honored to have this tattoo with them.
