I recently treated myself to another tattoo for my 18th birthday,;my dad got a somewhat matching one. I am quite new to the whole tattooing thing as I only have two now, but I do see what people mean when they say it is addicting. I have also had experienced the opposite side of things, those who are completely disgusted with the thought of having permanent ink on your body.

I have gotten questions from complete strangers asking what happens in 30 years if I regret my tattoos, or don't like how they look?

Well, that will simply never happen. Tattoos are my way of owning who I am, and displaying it proudly to the world. They are the way I am able to mark my journey through life and what I have learned through growing up and living. They show what I love more than anything, things I love so much I permanently placed their symbols on my body. Regretting my tattoos would mean regretting my last Christmas card from my Grandfather, or the book series that quite literally got me through incredibly rough times; it would mean regretting my identity and the influences that made me the person I am proud to be today, and I am positive that will never happen.

On the other hand, there are people who are concerned more about what they see on my body than my actual personality. And for this, I thank my tattoos and piercings, because they are able to quickly distinguish people I would not want in my life. These are people who are shallow enough to judge others based on appearance or cursory judgement, and not allow the person time to show their true character and personality.

More importantly, however, they are for me. They have kept me grounded in the short time that I have had them, and will continue to do so. They put into perspective what I really think is important and vital aspects of my life.

So, no, I don't get my tattoos and piercings to be a deviant in society, or to go against my parents. I didn't get them because they are some teenage phase that will soon expire. I got them for a much more boring reason, I like them. They represent me, and ultimately they are art I can wear no matter what.