Since I was 12 I knew exactly what I wanted for my tattoo. I waited 5 years with the idea in my head just so that I could be certain that I wouldn't regret it later on. Placed centred between my shoulder blades, I wanted to get "Libertas" (Latin for liberty, freedom and independence) printed. The word holds great meaning for me and I wouldn't get sick of seeing it everyday since it would be on my back.
At A Glance Author Cindy Contact Cindy@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Eric Studio Adrenaline (Sherbrooke and Guy) Location Montreal, Quebec I chose a Latin word because to me it holds so much beauty just in sight. I always disliked Chinese and Japanese lettering simply because I couldn't understand it. Plus a friend of mine had one done with the expected profound meaning of 'strength' which amusingly means 'clown' in another dialect.
I was sure that my Jewish would react quite badly to their youngest black sheep of a daughter wanting to 'ruin' her skin with 'ugly markings'. I was thinking of not telling them and hiding it till I would be 35 but in the end decided it wasn't worth it. At the end of the day, I am an individual who makes my own decisions in life and they will have to respect that.
After facing parents with my plan (they reacted fairly well actually, gave me the usual "you'll regret it!" speech), I set off downtown, nervous as hell. I had been to Adrenaline before for my friends (my best friend is an avid piercing addict) and was always more than pleased with the friendly and attentive service.
After psyching myself up all day, we get there and I'm devastated by the news that there were no more time slots for tattoos left for the day. Disappointed, I sit down and wait for my friend to get her nipple piercing done. As we exit the room wherein my friend was poked, one of the clerks comes up to me and tells me that they in fact do have time to take care of me.
For a second I started to reconsider. I had taken it as a sign when I got rejected upon entering that perhaps today wasn't my day to get it done. I had thought of maybe going to another parlour afterwards to get it done. My best friend, seeing the reservation in my face, just turned to me and went "you're getting this done today; I'm not letting you leave here without a tattoo".
Having been peer pressured into yet another adventure, I tell them what I want written in a font I selected, and step out for a smoke as my stress level was rapidly increasing along with my heart rate. 6 minutes later, Eric, my artist comes to get me. In his hand he had printed on paper Libertas in the font chosen and was verifying that it was of the correct size. After my precious final cigarette, we go back inside.
One of the biggest reasons I waited so long for my tattoo was that I was very afraid of the pain. I sit on the chair and anxiously wait as Eric aligns the lettering on my back (I completely trusted him to make sure it was straight as everyday I turned to look at it in the mirror my back would contort it). Then I hear the needle start.
Honestly, I always thought people were crazy when they told me this, but it didn't hurt. Sure there was a bit of pain because as we're well aware, a needle was prodding into my thinly skinned back. But the vibrations from it caused more of a dulling, annoying sensation than searing pain.
Since he started on one edge of the word, it did get a more uncomfortable as he neared my spine. But in total, the inking took less than 10 minutes and I didn't even notice the time go by. The service was friendly, the environment was hygienic, and I left there on the biggest high of my life.
I don't regret for a second and every time I walk by a mirror I always turn to catch a peek of my beautiful tattoo. There are times when I'll wake up, take a shower and see a glimpse of it in the mirror and forget that it was even there. I'm still grappling with the concept of 'forever' as this tattoo will be on my back for that duration of time. But every time I see it, it reminds me that I am free to do what I will and I have the determination to go through with anything I want. It's very empowering.
I've already started thinking of a design to place under my Libertas in order to accentuate it. My parents still don't really like it but they have accepted it and don't make any remarks whenever they see it. I say that if you really want a tattoo, and sure certain of what you want to get, go for it. It's 100% worth it.