Thursday, January 2, 2014

My Tattoo Story

First- I'm posting on the Instagram account @TheBlogBaton today! Everyday a different blogger gets to take over the account and post photos of their day. It's a great way to get to know other bloggers and get exposure for your own. Go follow the account to see what I'm up to today! Also, if you go to the account profile you'll find out more information if you would like to be part of The Blog Baton too. 

You might have noticed in my post on New Years Eve that I randomly threw in at the end my getting two tattoos.

Yup. You read and saw that correctly. 

For some people, this is probably a complete shocker. For a few others, they know I've been talking about it for a little while.

For almost everyone, the fact I got two tattoos and one of them on my forearm was totally out of left field.

I've tossed around the idea of getting a tattoo for a few years now, but I could never pick between all of the ideas I had or a location. Even beyond that, I honestly wasn't sure how it would go over with my working at a church. I could see both positive and negative reactions from people, so I held off. When I decided to leave youth ministry, I knew the window of opportunity was open.

I had decided to do it right around Christmas as a gift to myself. I also decided I wanted to have it done in Missouri because I had several friends there with tattoos and they would know the best places to go and get it done.

A few weeks ago I texted my friend Emily (I consider her and her husband the tattoo experts in the area) about ideas, where to go, and placements. She recommended Flesh Hound in Cape, and she even had friends who worked there. She also told me to stop by there sometime to get a price quote and toss around ideas with the artists.

About a week or so later, my last week in Cape to be exact, I ended up having some extra time one afternoon and since I was in the area, I stopped by the tattoo parlor Emily told me about. Luckily, it was a slow day and I was able to chat with one of their artists, Chris. By this point, there were two I knew I wanted at some point. He drew up ideas with me and we talked fonts, placements, etc. and he gave me a price quote if I wanted to get both. He even said he could do it that afternoon, but I decided to wait because I wanted someone with me. He also showed me what the tattoos would look like in 10 years time and compared fonts with me and put examples on my arm so I knew how big it would be.

That Friday, another friend of mine said she would go with me to get the tattoo. At this point, I was thinking about only getting one. I felt like getting two was going overboard for my first time. However, after talking with my friend she convinced me to just get both. One of them was really small, and in the long run, getting both at the same time would be cheaper because he was giving me a small discount. 

So... here they are!


This is on my right forearm and it is a quote from Les Miserables. I knew I wanted a quote of some kind, and I felt like something from a musical would fit me best. I had considered doing "Careful the tale you tell, that is the spell" from Into the Woods because that is my all time favorite show, it's about fairy tales, and the quote talks about stories. All things which fit me and my personality. However, I  have always loved this quote from Les Mis, it's a story which I've been in love with for years, and it reflected more of my world view and faith. 

As for placement, this really was my favorite. I know it was a bold choice, and depending on what job(s) I have and when I'm in plays I'll have to cover it up. But when I thought about other placements, I just didn't like them as much.



Of course... Harry Potter! I saw this design online a few months ago, and when I saw it I knew I had to have it. You all know how much I love Harry Potter, and this design was so simple and cute. It's easy to cover up and it's really tasteful. I can show my geek side without being completely ridiculous.

Did they hurt?

Absolutely!

In fact, I was completely terrified. I kept asking friends what it felt like and was never satisfied with their descriptions. I even told the tattoo artist how scared I was about getting them. But I kept reminding myself that I have had several needles stuck into my body throughout my life and have broken my femurs multiple times without shedding a tear. I could handle tattoos.

And while it did hurt, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There were moments which hurt more than others, probably because it hit nerve endings or something, but nothing I couldn't handle. My friend who came with me also distracted me with pictures of her cats and she and the tattoo artist were good at keeping conversation going. So it wasn't that bad. So if any of you are wondering about the pain - yes, it hurts, but it's definitely something you can handle.

Am I happy with them?

Yes!

I'll admit, for the first day or two when I would see my arm I'd kinda freak out and be all "OMG WHAT DID I DO THIS IS PERMANENT!" But I really do love it. I love the font because it's so elegant and I think it fits me so well. And the Harry Potter one on my calf is adorable!  I've loved showing them off to people. I did hide them from everyone at church over the weekend after I got them because I felt like shocking everyone in my last days would be a bad way to leave. But it was really hard to hide because I kept on wanting to be all "Hey guys! Look what I did!"

Will I do it again?

Probably not. Not because they aren't worth it, but because I feel like two tattoos on me is a perfect number.

Did my family freak out?

Not as badly as I thought they would. My sister was a little surprised by how big the one on my arm was and that I had gotten two. My mom's first reaction was "That's on my baby!" (which made me feel a little guilty) and my dad just rolled his eyes and said "whatever." I think they've gotten used to it though and even kind of like them. In fact, my mom did the photos for this post. Granted - she got a new camera for Christmas so she was happy to have an excuse to play with it!

What do my friends think?

I think they like them! One has named them my "quarter life crisis" ... which is a fair assessment. Haha. My friend Emily had the best reaction - she was so happy for me! As for everyone else, they think I'm a little crazy but also brave and they like them. So... overall, people are cool with it.

Do any of you have tattoos? Anyone want to share their stories? What do you think of my Christmas gift to myself?

25 comments:

  1. That's a beautiful quote to have. The script is elegant and beautiful. :) I adore the Harry Potter tattoo! That is so adorable and fun!!! Congrats on the tattoos! Love the post!

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    1. Thanks so much! I love both of them too. I feel like they fit me well.

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  2. I'm not usually a tattoo person but i LOVE that you got a Harry Potter tattoo. I saw that recently on pinterest and loved it also. Very cute. Well done.

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  3. I love both tattoos! The quote was very pretty in person. I admire your bravery...I'm still wimpy on piercing my ears, lol. We'll do that soon!!

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    1. We're totally going to do that soon! I'm so excited!

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  4. Your both tattoos are awesome. Actually I love Harry Potter one most , I'm tattoo-less and surely don't plan to have it in future . I'm just so scared of needles .

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  5. I love both your tattoos! That quote is lovely. You braved the needle, you should be proud. I am too scared to get my nose pierced! But this year I might just go for it.

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  6. found you through blog baton on IG - love your tats and their stories. I've been wanting another one - I only have one now, just a cluster of stars on my hip. But I'm having the hardest time deciding what to get!

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  7. I'm not going to ever get any tattoos, but I just love that little HP one. It's fantastic and simple and adorable. Glad you are happy with both.

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  8. Yea Emily!

    I have a Compass Rose about 4" across on my shoulder. The symbol is most commonly associated with nautical charts, then was adopted to aviation (where we still use nautical measurements and terms quite frequently, since navigation began on the sea). At one time, it was commonly painted on airport tarmacs so pilots could calibrate their gyros. Since I'm an Air Traffic Controller, it was only natural.

    As for the pain...I describe it as feeling like someone is ripping your skin, but in a good way...LOL!

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    1. I love that! It suits you and it's really unique. And yes - that's a great way to describe it!

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  9. Yay! I'm so glad you made a post about them! They are so perfect and totally you! Love it!

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    1. I'm glad you like them - since you were the one who told me where to go! I'm just sad you weren't able to see them in person :(

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  10. Love the Les Mis quote! And I love that you went right in and did TWO! Good for you! Happy New Year! :)

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  11. i think people need to chill about tattoos (ie. stop think that they're only for criminals or hooligans!). they are a personal expression of sentiment and i love yours and the stories attached to them. people don't know this but i have 5 tattoos; they're just carefully placed on my body and each of them took me YEARS to get.

    kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  12. YAY TATTOOS! It seems like it's definitely a generational thing. So many people our age have them that I think most of the stigma is dying off. LOVE both of yours <3

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    1. Thanks!!!! I love both of them too and they just make me smile. :-) And I agree, I think it is a generational thing. There are still some people who have a stigma about them, but it's wearing off. There are still some work places where I'll have to cover up the arm one (which could be a pain) but I'm okay with that. I knew that going into it.

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  13. You're dad's reaction is my favorite. None of my family was really too thrilled about mine, but I'm not really sure any of them were really that surprised.

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    1. Wasn't it awesome? I loved it too! And actually, your dad seemed more hurt that I didn't tell him. Maybe he's used to the idea now. :)

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  14. I LOVE THEM BOTH!!!!!!!!!!! I was already in love with you, but the Harry Potter put you over the top. We're life partners now.

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  15. These are both AMAZING. The HP one is so adorable and I LOVE that Les Mis quote :)

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    1. Thanks!!!!!! I love them so much and I'm really glad other people do too. Not that their opinion matters... but it does make life easier!

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  16. I love tattoos when they are meaningful and personalized to the person and sounds like these both are. plus I love both les mis and harry potter so I can get on board with both of these :) that les mis quote is great (I've been listening to the soundtrack so much lately) and love the abstract quality of the hp one. congrats! :)
    -- jackie @ jade and oak

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  17. I LOVE them, Em! That HP one is my favorite! I've been thinking of getting that one with "always" in snape's handwriting somewhere. I have the Japanese konji symbol for "strength" on my left hip. I got it when I was in a long, drawn-out court battle with my dad. Unfortunately, now it just reminds me of him so I am thinking about turning it into a scorpio symbol.

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  18. It's similar to the tribal work but is a single or sometimes double strand of wire wrapping the arm. click now

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