I plan on getting as many tattoos as I want/can afford. In this little spot here, I’ll show you them. The tattoos will be placed in chronological order, and every picture was taken at least an hour after it was done.

All ink has been done at Body by Design in Crestwood, IL by either John, Matt, or Bob.

“I will not be broken, though I am the one that bleeds.”

I believe that the tattoo is self explanatory. It is taken from a song lyric by one of my favorite bands - Atreyu. It means a lot to me. Because no matter how many times I am beaten, shot down, or denied… I will not be broken. I will bleed, and you will see my scars, but I will survive. I chose the rose because they are my favorite flower, and the color blue because it means solitude and peace. Done for my 18th birthday by Matt.

The symbolism in Japanese culture about the cherry blossom is absolutely amazing. They have special viewings for when they bloom and die, signifying not only rebirth, but delicacy. They are my second favorite flower (and scent, if you want to go that route!), so I knew I wanted it to be placed on me. I chose my foot because I hate feet, so to put something there that was beautiful would be a step towards being okay with them. This tattoo was another original design. By having three blossoms near the top of my leg, two dying, and the petals falling to form another one on the top of my foot, it is being correlated to my rebirth of respecting myself on every level possible. Done for my 19th birthday by John.

“I love you”

I am in love with American Sign Language. I have been since I was a kid. To be able to communicate without talking was not only amazing (since I am a tad lazy =] hahah!) but I found the language to be absolutely beautiful. So, naturally, I want this to be a major part in my life, whether I do it for a living, or on the side. Another reason for this tattoo is my best friend. I’ve known her for YEARS. Her youngest sister is deaf. When I go out with the family, it’s always been all of us together signing away. And when the older kids/parents leave us, Jessi and I stay with her and her friends to have fun and make sure they know they aren’t alone. We have “signing days,” and everything else for this girl. So to show my commitment to the language, and to her, I got the sign for I love you behind my right ear. Why? Because I am a dominant right handed signer. And because people can take their hearing for granted. Done on 3.26.11 by John.

“Hold on if you feel like letting go. Hold on, it gets better than you know”

A song lyric taken from another favorite band - Good Charlotte. This song has gotten me through sooo many things, I would be lying (and being serious; not over dramatic) if I said I would have survived my teen years without this song. I listened to it every day. The track is permanently burned into my CD. I cried when I saw them live and they played it. The amount of emotion in this song, and the lyrics/meaning behind it strike me to my core. It doesn’t help to mention that it’s the anti-suicide prevention song either. It got me through my parents divorce, rough childhood, and agonizing teenage years. I am positive it will be with me until the day I die. So I got it on my left wrist, so I can look at it and remind myself:  It’ll be okay. Done on 3.26.11 by John

As much as I hate to admit it, I am a writer at heart. When I’m not reading, my mind comes up with stores. As much as I try to not write, to direct my attention to my studies or work, I find myself itching to restart my passion. So I have always wanted a quill to symbolize that HUGE part of me. I got the words “write your own story” because it is a motto that I live by. All of my friends have described me as a dancer to the beat of her own drum (or, another instrument altogether). So by writing my own story, making my own impact on the world, in my own unique way, I feel like I am fulfilling my destiny. It also is a little bit of a pun :) the best part is - that is in my own handwriting. Done on 2.8.12 by Bob.