I Got My First Tattoo At 13 Years Old | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

I Got My First Tattoo At 13 Years Old

That doesn't mean I have terrible parents.

1080
I Got My First Tattoo At 13 Years Old
904 News

Yes, you read that right, folks. I got my first tattoo at 13 years old.

My parents have them all over, from the pinup girls on my mom's arm to my name being the first tattoo my dad got (which, ironically, I was there for as a newborn—it was actually my first public outing). My parents always joked as I started getting older and seeing them come home with new tattoos at least once a year, that I would eventually want a bunch too.

The day finally came. My mom came home with a new one and I remember saying, at 13 years old, "Mom, dad, I want a tattoo." They laughed and said "it's going to hurt and you're still growing, which means that it will stretch and fade the bigger you get." I mean, they weren't wrong, that's how it works—but I'm glad that I didn't get the tattoo somewhere that would grow too much. I went with what I believe was still my best choice (seeing as how it has been six years and still looks exactly the same): my foot. No, I did not get something that covers up my entire foot—I got something much smaller: a little blue heart that is a little bit bigger than a quarter in size.

Yes, it hurt, it's right on top of bone. Eventually, my entire foot went numb and things were alright...for the 15 minutes that it took to get the thing.

When I came back to school after Christmas break, people were stopping me in the middle of the hallways, in the cafeteria, even in the middle of class, asking me to take my shoe off and show them the tattoo. One boy stopped me right before the final bell rang and asked if he could see it. It soon drew a crowd, and the principal was coming our way.

"What's going on over here? Aren't you all supposed to be in class?"

Then he looked down at my foot—his face turned red and his eyes grew wide.

"It's illegal in the state of Michigan to have a tattoo as a minor," he stated. I told him my parents and I went to Ohio to get it done, and he became even more enraged and began interrogating me right there; the other kids that had been there before he arrived slowly started to back away.

"What kind of parents in their right minds would let their eighth grader get a tattoo? Who are your parents? What do they do? Were they with you when you got it done, or are you lying?" Yes, he accused me of lying about who was with me when I got it done.

I came home later that day to find out that the principal actually called my mom while she was at work to question her parenting style.

"I told him that what we choose for our child is none of his business. Tattoos are not against school dress code and yours can be easily covered anyway."

A boy in high school ridiculed my parents and I every day for it, saying, "you won't make it anywhere with that tattoo. Your parents raised you to work in the Taco Bell drive thru your whole life."

Where is that boy now? Let's just say that I have yet to work at any fast food joint, and he's worked at two.

I now have three tattoos, all with meanings that are close to home. My parents have raised me in an artistic home my whole life—from learning to express myself through my music and writing, to getting art on my body unlike anyone else in the world. It's all special to me. This is my way of showing that I have stories to tell.

You see, my tattoo choice had to be approved by my parents before I could get it anyway. They agreed that the heart was the best choice for me. They let me get a tattoo at 13 to teach me a lesson. They told me that if I regretted it, I would have to pay for the laser removal (which I've been told hurts more than getting the actual tattoo). They are not bad parents for letting me get a tattoo at 13. If this one topic justifies every way you feel about my parents and me, then so be it, but understand they raised me right. The little heart on my foot is not a judgment of my parents' characters.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Drake
Hypetrak

1. Nails done hair done everything did / Oh you fancy huh

You're pretty much feeling yourself. New haircut, clothes, shoes, everything. New year, new you, right? You're ready for this semester to kick off.

Keep Reading...Show less
7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf
Stop Hollywood

For those of you who have watched "Gossip Girl" before (and maybe more than just once), you know how important of a character Blair Waldorf is. Without Blair, the show doesn’t have any substance, scheme, or drama. Although the beginning of the show started off with Blair’s best friend Serena returning from boarding school, there just simply is no plot without Blair. With that being said, Blair’s presence in the show in much more complex than that. Her independent and go-getter ways have set an example for "Gossip Girl" fans since the show started and has not ended even years after the show ended. Blair never needed another person to define who she was and she certainly didn’t need a man to do that for her. When she envisioned a goal, she sought after it, and took it. This is why Blair’s demeanor encompasses strong women like her.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Feelings Anyone Who Loves To Sing Has

Sometimes, we just can't help the feelings we have

1292
singing
Cambio

Singing is something I do all day, every day. It doesn't matter where I am or who's around. If I feel like singing, I'm going to. It's probably annoying sometimes, but I don't care -- I love to sing! If I'm not singing, I'm probably humming, sometimes without even realizing it. So as someone who loves to sing, these are some of the feelings and thoughts I have probably almost every day.

Keep Reading...Show less
success
Degrassi.Wikia

Being a college student is one of the most difficult task known to man. Being able to balance your school life, work life and even a social life is a task of greatness. Here's an ode to some of the small victories that mean a lot to us college students.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments