My Anchor Tattoo

I got my first tattoo when I was 18 years old. I knew that I wanted tattoos when I was pretty young, so my mom agreed to pay for my first tattoo as a birthday gift from her, but she had some rules: she needed to agree with the content and location, I needed to be happy with the tattoo idea for six months, and the tattoo had to have a meaning – I was not allowed to get something on my body forever just because I liked how it looked. I was annoyed by her criteria at the time, but I am so thankful for it now.

I initially wanted the same anchor, but with a quote below it, and on my calf. Now that I'm older, leg tattoos are not my thing (but I do have two ankle tats, which I love). I also have grown to learn that generic quotes can lose their meaning to someone over time – the one I wanted has lost meaning to me.

My mom quickly ruled out the location, since I was a runner, and I was outside with my legs exposed every day. She didn't like the idea of a tattoo being so visible on my body at such a young age – she wanted me to get it in a location that was more concealable. She also disliked my initial location because the tattoo is in color. Being in the sun as often as I was, the greens and pinks in the tattoo would fade relatively quickly, so it would be a pretty high-maintenance tattoo in terms of touch-ups.

So, I opted for the back of my neck. My mom was over the moon about the new location, but then told me I couldn't get the quote. Since the tattoo would be much smaller on the back of my neck, the words would likely blur out after a few years. I was annoyed, of course, but I agreed.

Finally, the meaning. This tattoo is only one of two (out of the nine that I have) that actually has meaning to it (sorry mom). I have been through a lot of rough times in my life – more than anyone should ever have to go through. In high school, I was faced with the worst of it, but I always tried to find a silver lining in everything. Simply put, my first tattoo symbolizes the fact that there is always a positive side to a negative situation. The anchor represents the negative, "weighing you down," and the flowers show that you can bloom through anything. My mom loved it. And then, my first tattoo was born.

Also, side note, I got this tattoo done in the backyard of some lady my friend recommended, and I almost passed out because I didn't eat beforehand. Don't be dumb like 18-year-old me. Eat before you get tattooed. And for Pete's sake, go to a professional.