The first tattoo I ever got, was my stars, I got them when I was 17 years old and a junior in high school. All through middle school and high school I was teased, even when I was in the "popular" group, I was teased and made fun of all the time. One reason being my family and I weren't "rich" like a lot of my friends. Now i'm not saying we were poor or anything while I was going through school, but compared to a lot of the other kids, we weren't as wealthy. So I would get teased when my family couldn't afford to go on trips, or pay for me to go places with my friends, things like that. I was also teased for being so strong. Growing up I had two brothers, one was in prison most all of my life, but the other was a huge part of my life. Up until I was about fifteen or sixteen, we didn't get along. As a matter of fact, he use to beat the crap out of me. So one day, I decided that wasn't going to happen anymore, I stated lifting weights and working out, and became even stronger than my big brother. Lets just say, he didn't mess with me anymore. We ended up being best friends, and i'm thankful he used to beat up on me because if he hadn't, I wouldn't be as strong as I am. That didn't matter at school though, all that mattered was the fact I could beat guys in arm wrestling and do one armed push ups, in which everyone would tease me for. (Its funny to me that "fit chicks" are now the new 'sexy' thing.) So growing up, and getting teased and belittled all the time, one thing would always comfort me, the stars. Why you might ask? Because all the "rich" kids and the girly girls, the populars, the beautiful ones, all of them have at least 1 thing in common with me, when they look up at night, they're looking at the exact same sky as I am, and wishing on the same star.
My second tattoo was the music note behind my ear. "Typical" maybe, but I love it. My old best friend, sister even, from elementary school and I got it together when I was 18. I had met her when I accidentally walked into her choir class, she was a few grades above me. Eventually she started dating my brother for a while, so I saw a lot more of her. One day on the bus she sat by me and asked me what I was listening to, Eminem "The Real Slim Shady," duh!!! Instantly best friends from there on out. That music note represents how I met one of the most important people in my past. Granted we had a falling out a few years ago, that tattoo still means the world to me. People always say not to get tattoos with someone because what if you stop being friends, well we did and I can tell you this, our lack of being close, does not make the meaning of my past, memories, or the meaning of my tattoo fade even in the slightest. That tattoo is a reminder of one of the most beautiful, gracious, humble people I will ever know in my life.
My third tattoo is the tribal symbol on my neck that represents "strength." I got that one with my mom's best friend when I was 18, who became my friend. Another falling out, but still means the world to me, and reminds me of the good memories we did share together.
My fourth tattoo was the roses on my right calf, which I got for my nineteenth birthday, right after I gave birth to my twins. So many meanings behind this one! One being that my middle name is Rose, of course. Two being that my mom use to sing the song "The Rose" by Bette Midler to me, up until I was in my teen years. It's a beautiful song that means the world to me, and to this day, brings such comfort and love into my heart. Lastly, every rose has it's thorns, right? So do I, I have my flaws, quirks, bad days and grouchy attitude, but if you take the risk, you'll see how beautiful I am on the inside once you get past my guard.
Next, would be my wedding vows on my left forearm I got when I was nineteen. My husband has "I promise with everything I am, and everything I will be... (and I have) ... to love you with all of my heart, forever and always." These are part of our wedding vows that my husband wrote, and the second I heard them, I knew I wanted to re read them every day for the rest of my life. What better way to do that than to have them on my body, and take those vows to my grave.
My sixth tattoo is my anchor and heart with wings on my left foot, also when I was nineteen. I got this one with my mom, right before I moved to California to start my life with my husband and children. The meaning behind this one is simple, she has an anchor tied to a heart, because the Navy (my husband being in the navy) stole her heart (me) away. I have an anchor with a heart and wings, because the Navy gave me the wings to escape, and soar away (from some very bad situations I was stuck in while in Colorado.)
Next, my seventh tattoo would be the tree on my right arm that I got when I was 20. It represents family. If you look closely, you can see the changing of the seasons in the leaves, representing all of the life changes, struggles, joys and heart breaks that will come through life in my family, but we (the tree) will stay intact and strong. No matter what changes come fourth, we are a family, and we will not fail.
My eighth tattoo is my dream catcher on my left arm that I got when I was 22. I actually drew it myself, and it has all three of my boys' names and birth dates on the hanging feathers. The meaning behind this is that like a dream catchers take away bad dreams, my children take away the bad in my life. No matter what I am going through or feeling, they can make me so happy and hopeful. Without them in my life, my world would be dark and filled with nightmares. Also, I chose a Indian theme for my left arm being 1 because I am part indian, and 2 being that my G.G (great grandmother) was obsessed with Indians. She was a huge part of my childhood and my life, and not a day goes by that I don't think of her, and miss her dearly. I haven't found the perfect tattoo to get in remembrance of her yet, but the theme I have chosen, is dedicated to her and her love for indians. (Gosh I miss all of her Indian decorations, and her humor, her smile...)
My ninth tattoo was the AR15 on the back side of my right forearm, also 22 years old. Not only is that the specific gun my husband is building for me, but I got this tattoo with my wonderful best friend. Her and I went through my pregnancy with Tristan, and hers with Emberlynn together. The lyrics we chose were "Little bit of devil in those angel eyes, little bit of heaven with a wild side," NAME THAT SONG :) The meaning not only is for our friendship, and love for each other, the fact we would protect each other no matter what, but also shows a bit of our quirky friendship, and country souls! I'm her glass of wine, she's my shot of whiskey. <3
Next would be tattoo number ten, my thigh tattoo. A worn out ship with big waves and the quote, "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." Pretty self explanatory, but i'll spill any ways. I've been through a lot in my life, many trials and struggles, but without them, I wouldn't be who I am today, I wouldn't be as wise, mature, or able to advise people positively. My rough seas, made a strong sailor.
Number eleven, the arrow on my left back forearm. Going along with my Indian theme, the meaning is that you must pull an arrow backwards, in order to launch it foreword, just like in life, everything thats pulled me back, is just fuel to launch me further.
Lastly, tattoo twelve, a wolf, for strength and leadership, the leader of the pack (my family). On the bottom of the wolf, there is the pikes peak skyline, home, Colorado.
I intend on getting many more tattoos, all of which will mean something deeply to me, and define a little more of who I am. I will never be the girl who goes, "Oh thats cute, i'll get it tattooed!" Every tattoo I ever get will be thought through, and mean something deep to me, and be a little piece of who I am inside, and what matters most in my life. My tattoos do not make me less of a person, a slacker, or a mediocre mother, they are just bits of my soul on my skin for the world too see.
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