It’s taken me a while to write about this, because though it’s something I’m excited and pleased about, I know it’s not necessarily something that pleases those around me. Plus, what could I say other than “Wahoo! I finally got my first tattoo!” …?
Well – I did. I got tattooed for the first time at tender age of 29, much to my mother’s chagrin. Mike and I went to see his tattoo artist, Jeff, a few days after new years. We told him what we wanted and after some good-natured teasing, he set to work.
Matching M&Ms. (Mike and Mandi. Get it?) Yes, we’re nerds.
I did pretty well at first. I was surprised at how little it hurt, compared to what I’d been anticipating. At least, that’s how I felt till Jeff got to that crease where the base of your hand connects to your wrist. Yeah … ouch.
(Mike would have totally called me out if I didn’t post this picture!)
Despite what the photo might suggest, I really enjoyed the experience of getting tattooed. I’ve been in piercing/tattoo shops before, but sitting for a tattoo (even a small one like this) gives you more time to talk and get to know your artist and the other people in the shop. I found that I was much more at ease (and dealt with the pain much better) when everyone was talking and laughing.
I’ve also been enjoying every moment since — every time I catch the blue and green ink out of the corner of my eye, it puts the biggest smile on my face.
I can only explain it like this: As someone who’s bounced and struggled with weight, I rarely feel comfortable in my own skin. I think a lot of people, particularly women, can relate to this, right? For me, the small bits of body art I’ve chosen to do were less about shock-value or standing out, and more about making my outside match how I FEEL on the inside.
Strange as it sounds, stretching my ear lobes and getting a small tattoo has actually helped me like ME a little more. I used to have my nostril pierced and I made the joke that instead of trying to hide my big nose, I should decorate it (hence the piercing)! It never really was a joke though. It was about coming to terms with the canvas God gave me and finding a way to feel beautiful in spite of what conventional terms of beauty define as “flaws”.
I’m sure this all sounds ridiculous when you look at my arm — they’re M&Ms, for goodness sake — but they make me happy. They make me HAPPY when I look in the mirror and see my skin and my body. Maybe body art is unconventional and maybe it makes some people uncomfortable or displeased (that’s okay), but I think people can see past that and see ME.
That being said … you’d be surprised how few people even notice my tattoo. I’ve been wearing a lot of cardigans and sweaters but I usually have my sleeves rolled up. It took DAYS for most people to even notice, and some still haven’t … and in the end, that’s okay because it’s mostly just for me in the end.
