16 years old was when I got my first tattoo. I remember distinctly the feeling of the needle, I thought it was rather annoying. Afterwards, it just felt like a bad sunburn. My grandpa is the one that paid for the tattoo, it is a tribute to him anyway. What's funny is, I had a different design in mind until the very day of the tattoo appointment. About an hour beforehand, I found a different design that I liked a lot better. I have never regretted my last minute decision to change, in fact looking back I'm glad I changed my mind.
Since it's on my foot, it faded quite a bit. During the tattoo, my whole body was sweating. I remember because it was super gross. My second tattoo didn't happen until I was 18. I had just gotten back from Army training, my discharge was final. This tattoo was perfect for that time in my life. It serves as inspiration to me on a daily basis. Even when I forget it's there. This tattoo was not done at a shop. It was done by a family friend that tattoos on the side. A little about him, he's an Army veteran and he used to work in a shop when he lived in California. However, when he moved to Kansas he didn't want to tattoo full time. Being honest, it has never bothered me that I was getting tattooed in his house because his tattoo room was cleaner than most tattoo shops I've been to.
During this tattoo, I was perfectly fine laying there just reading a book on my phone until he got to the word "times." Once he hit my ribs, it hurt but it wasn't unmanageable. Definitely not the most painful tattoo I have. My third and favorite tattoo is also my biggest, I got it done when I was 19. The words in the background are actually lyrics to "I won't give up" by Jason Mraz. I would say in terms of pain, this one hurt the least. Reading my book yet again while I was being permanently inked, I damn near fell asleep.
My fourth and final tattoo (for now) is just a small, spur of the moment thing. It is also the second tattoo that was done in a shop, instead of by my family friend. There's really no explanation, my friend and I were driving around and saw a tattoo parlor had a special. So, we got tattoos because who could pass up such a perfect opportunity? This was the most painful tattoo I have gotten so far. I don't know why, and it's pretty small so it didn't even last very long.
Let's just say that I have many more tattoos planned out. The only problem is, my tattoo artist is back in Kansas. So I will have to save up a little more before I can get another tattoo down here in Florida because I am sure they are more expensive. Since I want to be a lawyer, I am only getting tattoos that can be covered up. It's just how society is right now, they don't accept tattoos for jobs like that. It looks "unprofessional" which I don't understand. But since I can't change it, I will just conform around it (for now) until I become a big hot shot lawyer and then I'm going to let loose.
That's all I have for now, you'll be seeing more of my tattoos as soon as I get them. I am planning on at least 1 per year. Bye for now!
Kelsey
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