Monday, April 27, 2015

Yes Mom, Another Tattoo

For my birthday this year, I did something that I've been wanting to do for several years: I got (another) tattoo. I'm not too sure if I've mentioned my other tat on this blog but I have one on my upper middle back. It's not special, it's something I did on a whim when I was eighteen. I don't regret it though, it's just not something that has any kind of significant meaning to me.

I knew if I ever got another one, I would need to be special. I would really think it over, going through all the steps, doing my research on artists, designs, and placement before I made a final decision. In 2012, I decided my next tattoo would be a hummingbird, for several reasons. Hummingbirds are my favorite bird, in looks and in spirit: they fly thousands and thousands of miles every year, despite their size, to stay alive. They're gorgeous, they're resourceful, and they're feisty (have you ever seen two of them fight over some food?) Lastly, these little birds remind me of my precious Grandmother, who left us in 2011. She loved having the little birds in her yard and had feeders galore to attract them so she could watch.



As we all know, tattoos can be a subject of controversy. My own husband dislikes tattoos and doesn't have any, nor does he particularly like mine. Still we talked about it, me slowly convincing him that this one was important to me. He asked me to wait, to be sure it wasn't something fleeting that I wouldn't like as much after a year or two. So I waited, and this year on my birthday, after three years of serious thought and decision making, I booked an appointment to have her drawn.

I had some ideas floating around in my head and had stalked google, pinterest, and instagram for inspiration but I could never find any that seemed quite right for me. I met with  my tattooer, Drew, and showed him one picture that was kind of close to what I wanted. After chatting a little while about it, I booked the appointment for the following week. I sent him a few more photos via email with some pretty "all over the place" instructions, hoping he could make heads or tales of what I wanted.

One week later, I went back to the tattoo shop to see what he had drawn, and I immediately fell in love with the little lady. I'm pretty sure I even got teary eyed. Two hours later, we were finished. I chose to have her on my foot so that she's always walking where I'm walking, step by step, she's there to remind me: be fierce, be beautiful, and don't ever stop flying.

She'll be my last tattoo. Partially because I had to promise my husband it would be, in order to get this one and partially because I really don't want anymore. It took three years to finally bite the bullet on this one and I just can't see myself having that kind of desire for anything else.

Do you have any tattoos? I'd love to hear about them!

34 comments:

carissajade said...

Love it! Absolutely beautiful.

Unknown said...

I actually just got my first tattoo a couple weeks ago for my own birthday! My mom has always signed her name "Mom ox" as in hugs & kisses, and as a symbol of her love & our friendship, and a reminder to always love fiercely, my mom and I got matching tattoos in each other's handwriting of "ox" on our outside left wrists. I'm completely obsessed.

Kayla MKOY said...

This is so awesome girl!!! I love the significance, and it's really pretty!

Whitney Alison said...

I have one. It was an impulse decision at 18, and it literally doesn't mean anything. I'll get it covered one day, and I plan on getting a few more. I love your hummingbird and what it means. Very prett!

Jay T said...

Yesterday I saw your IG picture and I was going to ask you if you were planning on blogging the story of your tattoo - I'm so glad you did!! The hummingbird is really beautiful. I don't have any tattoos and I don't plan on getting any, but I love hearing about the tattoos other people have. Sometimes I draw stuff on my wrists in sharpie so I can pretend I have a tattoo. #hardcore

Elizabeth McMullen said...

This is beautiful xoxo
I have eight tattoos, from a star that means literally nothing (first tattoo) to love on my wrist that reminds me of my struggle with depression.

Steph G said...

It's gorgeous. I don't have any tattoos, but my husband has 2 half sleeves and it's always an interesting topic to discuss. I love hearing the stories behind people's tattoos.

Cassie Lee @ Sage the Blog said...

Love!!!!

Fairy Princess Jord said...

Such a beautiful tattoo with an even more beautiful meaning. I have two tattoos as well (and don't want any more) but I do appreciate the self expression of tattoos and love hearing about other people's.

Anonymous said...

I really love this tattoo and the story behind it! You just reminded me, I haven't blogged about the tattoo I got in Thailand, I might need to write about it! ;)

Brittany said...

Such a great meaning and story behind it. I currently have one tattoo that's really just for fun. I guess to me the only meaningful part about it is that I got it with our exchange student we had a couple years ago. I've thought about getting another one but am not ready to yet. My boyfriend doesn't like tattoos either...

Brittany said...

Ps I forgot to mention how pretty those pictures are! Love them.

The Life You Love said...

This is beyond gorgeous. I'm so glad that you got it and love it. I'm ready for another soon.

Kati Rose @ Constantly Seeking Wonder said...

I love tattoos and I have to say yours is one of my favorites I have seen recently! It's so well done - it's beautiful. The meaning and significance behind it makes it even better!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

I love the meaning behind this one!

Amber Thomas said...

HOW DID I NOT COMMENT ON THIS ALREADY?

I have a hummingbird too. It's one of my favorite parts of my tattoo. And it's the part I always get compliments on... Of course, yours is GORGEOUS. I love the patterns in the wings and just, yes so beautiful. :)

I love that you call yours a lady, because I call mine a BOY! :) Maybe they can love each other?

shannon said...

LOVE it!

seriously so gorgeous lady!

p.s. did it hurt lots on your foot?

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