I have wanted to write this post for ages! I got my very first tattoos in July 2021. But it was only last week that I finally photographed them the way I wanted to. I have 3 tiny tattoos, all in black ink, all done by the same artist: Ryan Waid. Here is the story of why I got them and why I chose this artist.
Disclaimer: no one needs a reason to get a tattoo or an elaborate back story. But I have a few stories and reasons so that is why I am sharing.
I’ve always known I wanted tattoos, but I’ve always been very indecisive about what to get.
I chose Ryan to do my tattoos because his mentor, Casey, has done almost all of my best friend Kayla’s tattoos. I follow Casey and Ryan on Instagram and they are incredibly talented. For years Kayla has been my biggest influence to get tattoos because her tattoos are literally so amazing. She’s the coolest girl I know.
One of the idea’s I was throwing around for years was a flame on my left arm, right above my inner elbow. But when I mentioned this idea to Kayla and a few others, they said “make sure it doesn’t look like a [woman’s genitalia]”. When I heard that, my brain literally went ???? But this personal buckled down and said “sometimes the flames can make it look like a [redacted], so watch out”. So I let it go for a few weeks and Kayla and I laughed it off. Later on, Ryan had posted on his IG story a video of two tattoo pieces he had done of two twin fire signs. Kayla sent me the story on IG and I responded to her saying “Oh I really like these! But I want mine to have more detail and definitely not looking like a [redacted].” Except… I did not send that to Kayla, I sent that to Ryan! I accidentally responded to his story. I was mortified and kept apologizing, saying how much I liked his work and it was a joke with a friend. He laughed it off and said “So do you want to book an appointment?” and I said… “well I guess I have to now”. Low and behold- I was on the books and Kayla was coming with me.
I got all three of these on the same day. I thought that was the most economical since they were relatively simple and we would only need one needle (and I would only have to pay for one needle). So without further ado, here are my tattoos.
ME <3
When I explain this tattoo to people I always say “no one is ever going to love me as much as I love me, but I would love to see you try”. This tattoo in it’s purest and simplest form represents self-love, but every time I look at it, I am reminded that the love within myself is the most powerful love I possess. With that love I stand up for myself, I look out for myself, I take care of myself and I trust myself. Through all of that, I can give and accept love from others. I decided to put this tattoo on my left wrist, facing me because… well… isn’t it obvious? It’s for me.
Reading this back now, it seems like a very deep meaning for someone who constantly says “wow, I love me”. Narcissist? Maybe. Obsessed with herself? Who wouldn’t be if you were me? I wanted this tattoo to be a little cheeky, and I think the message is gets across.
1/3
Fun fact: this is in my mom’s handwriting. Because don’t we all recognize our own mother’s handwriting instantly? One day while she was teaching her 3rd graders I texted her asking her to write down “1/3”. No hesitation, she sent me a picture of a sticky note back with the fraction. But when she asked “why?” I just left her on read. Chaotic? Maybe a little. But she likes this tattoo! My friend Jesse did this with his siblings, so I absolutely copied him.
This tattoo is for my brothers, Chris and Johnny. Even though those frauds have refused to get the other numbers, because they think it’s hilarious that I have this by myself. I am the oldest, so I get to be 1/3, Chris is supposed to be 2/3 and Johnny completes the fraction by being 3/3. Of course… those knuckleheads keep saying things like “well, since you and Chris are twins, it should be 1.5/3” and “well if Johnny is 3/3, wouldn’t you just round up to 1?” So that’s what I’m dealing with. Even though they are acting exactly how brothers do, I love this tattoo and I get the most comments on it. It think it is the most obvious because it is on the outside of my right wrist. I don’t know if the boys will ever get their tattoos (even though Chris already has 3) but at least I have mine. I’ve always been 1/3, and I always will be.
~
This is the tattoo my family hates the most. And this was the most random tattoo I decided to get because there isn’t a whole lot of meaning I’ve attached to this one. My old therapist and I threw around the idea that it could mean “I’m in my reputation era” (I’m not) or I’m “shredding my skin” (I don’t think I’m doing that either.) The truth is, I just thought it looked cool. I’ve always thought this tattoo makes me seem way cooler than I actually am. We added some sparkles at the top, and I definitely want more of those all over my body when I get more tattoos.
Side bar: when I was laying on the table for this one, Kayla was behind me telling jokes to the other tattoo artists. I didn’t have my phone on me so I was just laying there, trying to ignore the pain. Then Kayla randomly goes “Oh, looks like Taylor Swift posted something big. A lot of people are sharing it to their stories”. And I said “KAYLA WHAT IS?!?!?!?”, knowing that Taylor Swift was due to announce SOMETHING any day now!! Kayla said, “Oh idk…” and kept telling jokes WHILE I WAS STILL ON THE TABLE UNABLE TO MOVE AND GET MY PHONE! So that’s how I found out about the release of RED (Taylor’s Version). Thank you Kayla, for nothing (lolololol).
So what’s next?
I definitely want more tattoos. I have thrown around the idea of a disco ball, flame, ghost in cowboy boots, something in my dad’s handwriting… the list goes on! I definitely need to start saving up my money so I can get more. I live super close to the Baltimore Tattoo Museum and have already taken 2 friends there to get some ink. Before I move out of Baltimore, I definitely want something to commemorate my first apartment in Charm City.
How many tattoos do you have? Comment below!
Thanks for reading! xx