I am pretty sure in today's day and age 80% of you reading this have a tattoo. I myself have two, but you would never know because I have them in places you have to look a while for until you actually find it. Now, some of you might not agree (which is fine) but I believe that tattoos should have meaning rather than just being put on your body permanently for absolutely no reason. The two tattoos I have meant the world to me and I have never regretted them even a tiny bit which is what I think tattoos should always be done for.

I mean I get it, everyone has one of those nights where you are feeling spontaneous and you're like "hey, let's get tattoos" but you just gotta remember that they last forever (unless you got them removed, but that hurts even more so I don't recommend).

The first tattoo I got was when I was 19 years old and I was living in Bloomington at the school I go to, Illinois State University, and it was something I had been wanting to do for the longest time. My mom came down to visit one weekend and we had made the appointments to get matching tattoos a week prior so we were so excited. The back story to the tattoo I got is super meaningful to both my mother and me.

My grandmother, my mother's mom, passed away from ovarian cancer when I was a junior in high school, so I was 17 years old. She was the light of my life and more like a second mother to me. With everyone that she loved, she had a thing where when she would hang up the phone or end the conversation she would say "More" instead of "I Love You" and it always stuck with everyone. The tattoo I got is on the back of my neck and it is no bigger than a quarter. It is the Chinese symbol of the word "More" and my mom also got it too but it is on her wrist. I love it because I know that my grandmother is always with me and I am connected to my mom forever as well. The reason why I got it on the back of my neck is that I know for future jobs, especially because I am going to be a teacher, I want it somewhere where I can hide it easily. Sometimes I forget it is even there, so I think I've got it down pretty good.

My second tattoo I actually got this past week. It is more visible than my first tattoo, but it is still super easy to hide. It is located on my left inner ankle and it is a puzzle piece. The story behind this one is super easy to understand especially if you are educated on autism awareness and what the symbol for it is. I work with kids who have disabilities and that is also what I plan to do when I grow up, become a special education teacher.

During the summer, I work with younger kids who have disabilities and I also work alongside a very good friend of mine who I have known since I was 5 years old. We were on a field trip last week with the kids and we were talking and she told me she had always wanted a puzzle piece tattoo on her somewhere which is the symbol for autism awareness. Ever since my first tattoo, even though it is small, I have been wanting another one so bad so we were both like hey why not get matching puzzle pieces this summer. We went a few days later and got them and they are both on our left inner ankle. They also are pieces that fit together so they are not the same but they are if that makes sense. It was the best thing ever and I am so glad we did it together.

I am not saying that people who have tattoos that have no meaning are ridiculous because tattoos are art and if you like the piece you like the piece, but I believe strongly that the tattoo should mean something to you before you get it. Just remember that they are permanent and if you decide to stupidly get a tramp stamp, you are going to have to live with that for the rest of your life so good luck. But seriously, all I am saying is think before you ink pretty much because I do not regret my tattoos one bit and I don't want you to either.