To the people that think tattoos should deter someone from getting a job or from dating someone, here's what tattoos mean (in my opinion).

There are many reasons why I got my tattoos, my first one was after senior year of high school with my two best friends, we got a moon and three stars to signify togetherness and tranquility. My second tattoo is a Breast Cancer ribbon that says "faith, hope, courage" along with it. To me, this symbolizes my mom and the battle she fought with her Breast Cancer two years ago. I llike reminding myself that God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers, my mom gives me the strength to live each day to the fullest.

People always talk about how it hurts when you get a tattoo, and it absolutely does. But instead of crying through the pain, I tried to imagine the pain my mom went through during her treatments. Tattoo pain is pain that you choose, it is reminding you of why ever you got the tattoo, and that way when it's permanently on your body, you are reminded of the pain, and the cycle starts all over again.

9/10 if you ask someone why they got the tattoo that they got, they have significantly good reasons why they got it, so try them. Ask. I know that I love talking about my tattoos because the thing meant so much to me that I put it permanently on me. I know that there are a lot of people who say they don't want someone on them permanently like that, which is also fine, but if someone has a tattoo, humor them and ask them where their idea came from. There are a lot of things that mean a lot to me, but my friends and my mom meant the most to me and I needed to find a way to express that. What better way so that every time you look in the mirror, you remind yourself of that special thing that makes you tick.

So, if you love something enough to want to get a tattoo of it, I highly encourage it. Whether it be about somebody else, or a quote, or a symbol, if someone means something to you- show it off! Let people know who you really are and what things mean the most to you. This is a photo of my tattoo:

Do you still believe that people with tattoos are dirty and gross and don't deserve jobs? Think again. They're the most beautiful piece of artwork on the most beautiful canvas- you.