Tattoos

I have two tattoos. I don't look like the type of person to have tattoos. I am all straight brown hair, glasses, jeans and t-shirts. But I love the art of tattoos. I feel like I my tattoos really represent those points in my life in which I had them done.

I have the Chinese character for joy surrounded by a daisy chain. Yes, I know it's the right character. I studied Chinese. I got it when I was in high school. I was 18 and I went with my friend who just turned 18. My mom knew I wanted a tattoo but she didn't want me to get one until I moved out of the house; so she didn't know about this one for a few years. I designed and drew it exactly the way I wanted it. It's blue and green and resides on my lower back, left side. For me, at the time it meant that life was about having fun and doing what makes you happy. Now, it reminds me to try to find joy in every day.

I also have a cat with dragonfly wings, which resides on my hip. Sounds funky and it is...very art deco inspired. I got this one with a friend, who I don't keep in touch with anymore, when I was 20. My first couple of college years were troubling for me. I didn't get to go to the college I wanted to because of money reasons and ended up at a community college. It turned out for the best but I was devastated that my life was not going be exactly what I planned (if I only knew). At 20, after 2 years at the community college and living at home, I transferred to a college in Maine. I got this tattoo before I left. For me, at the time it meant freedom. Now, well, it still means that for me! But it's more than that; it means following your own path in life.

I resisted getting a third tattoo when I married my husband. Mostly because we didn't have a lot of money for such things but also because I want to convince him to get the same thing. We both have leaves engraved on our wedding rings as symbols of us growing and changing together, floating on the wind. I want a leaf tattoo and I may someday be able to convince R to get it. [He has a tattoo of the paw print of his former dog. They were best friends for 13 years.]

When I found out I was pregnant with Stella I knew I would one day have a tattoo to express my feelings for her. I originally thought I would get a little blue bird on my shoulder. As we got the nursery all set for her, I decided to paint a mural above the crib. It's a dark blue room so I did a tree at night with a crescent moon and two owls looking down over the crib.

I always imagined those owls as me and R watching Stella. Stella never saw it. And somewhere along the way the owls started to represent Stella and now the baby. Now I imagine getting an owl on my shoulder, or maybe two, or on my wrist so I can see them all the time. R thinks I should take a photo of the mural and have that made into a tattoo. Thoughts?

Of course I have time to decide. It's not like I'm having it done while pregnant. I originally thought I would have something done for Stella's first birthday and then R reminded me, if we have a baby to take home, the baby will only be like 3 weeks old and should I really get a tattoo while breastfeeding. Oops!

It will happen though.