Inked

For my Mom’s Recent “Big Birthday”, we got inked!

She has wanted a tattoo for 30 years, but has never gotten one. SO- since she was having a hard time with turning this particular number, we needed to go do something fun!

We’ve been talking about it for a while, but even a week before her birthday, we had kinda decided not to do it. Then at the last minute, we decided, “what the heck- let’s do it!”

She had an idea to put all of her grandkids’ names on her foot and I had decided I wanted to put the Amharic “Love” on my wrist.

It is something special to me, because Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia. The written language is absolutely beautiful. I chose “Love” because it is, in a word, what defines my life. God loved me enough to send His son Jesus to die on the cross for me so that I might spend eternity with Him. I love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength. I share a love with my husband that is so beautiful I can’t put it into words. I am blessed with the love of 3 beautiful children that I love fiercely and with all of my heart. I already love my daughter that I am “waiting” for- it’s a love that I can’t explain yet- a love that has consumed me in a way that I never expected so soon and without yet knowing her. I have the love of parents, a brother and a sister in law, a niece and a nephew. I have the love of my husband’s wonderful family. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins. Friends. The love in my heart and life is just overflowing- I am truly so blessed.

So Love it was! Every time I look down at my wrist, I will be reminded of all of this wonderful love!

Then Mom decided she’d wait a while to do the grandkids’ names- since there’s another one on the way!- and just start with something small.

So, we got matching tattoos! She had similar feelings about the Love theme and felt it fitting for her as well. And how special to have matching tattoos too!

I got a few recommendations for Brainstorm in Fayetteville, so that’s where we went.

We would both highly recommend the shop as well as our artist, Kyle. He was very sweet, made us feel very comfortable and we feel like he did a great job.

I was a little afraid that I’d chicken out if I didn’t go first. My mom wasn’t the least bit nervous, so she happily obliged.

Before we got started, looking a little nervous, but ok.

Right when he got started. Not looking quite as cool anymore!

Trying to be cool… at first I didn’t think it was quite as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Coolness factor= 0. Not gonna lie. Hurts my pride to show you this picture, but trying to keep it real. He told me that the middle letter, right in the middle of my wrist would be the worst. He didn’t lie. It was twice as bad on this one!

Almost done!

Freshly inked!

Like I said, Mom was super cool. Not nervous.
A Rock Star, actually.

She watched the whole thing! I couldn’t do it! I was afraid I was gonna pass out! I was impressed by her bravery!

Brand New, Fresh Tattoo!

Love!

I’m sure this is a birthday we’ll never forget!

While I’m so glad that I went through with it, I don’t have any plans to get anymore tattoos at this point. I didn’t embrace the experience like Mom did. It was some of the longest 15 minutes of my life! Mom, on the other hand, would still like to get a tattoo of all of her grandchildren’s names at some point. Maybe I’ll just go along as the photographer next time! :)

Love you Mom! Hope your birthday was a very happy and memorable one and that you always remember laughing at me when I was laying on the tattoo chair trying not to pass out. :)

I love you!