I have gotten two tattoos over the course of the last eight months. All of which have meaning. But why is it that we get looked down upon for having tattoos? And why are we intensity labeled with the not most positive labels? Over the course of the last few years, people have become more accepting of the idea of tattoos and that's dope. However, we all still deal with weird looks and side comments.

Growing up I always knew I wanted tattoos and once I was 18 and I had money I went and got one. And before you ask, yes my parents are okay with them. Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves, mine just happens to be through tattoos and art work. Yours might be through coloring your hair tons of colors or creating screamo music, and maybe that's not what I would do but hey you do you.

I wish I could tell you how many times people tell me that I will have a tattoo on my body forever. Like, yes I am aware this ink is not leaving my body. Yes I know I am 18 and yes I will get old but if I'm going to get a tattoo I'm going to get it while I am young and willing to do these "reckless" acts. Maybe people don't like them and maybe some people think they are unprofessional, but I don't think you should have to change yourself for others to like you. I have a friend who wouldn't get a tattoo himself but doesn't mind I have some. At the end of the day are you going to let ink get in the way of being friends or nice to someone? I hope not.

Once I got to college I realized that 80% of my friends have tattoos, visible or not. In the second week of school I literally became friends with two guys because we had ink on our bodies. Almost every person I have met who has tattoos has a story to go with their tattoo and to me that's amazing. It's art. And who doesn't like art?

I guess what I am saying is that yes I'm sorry if my tattoos are something that you aren't into, but they are something I am into. It's art and they are small stories. And isn't the whole point of living to create stories and memories to share with others?