When my best friend and I celebrated our 40th birthdays, we found ourselves in a remote locale that you could only pinpoint with GPS. Despite its small-town charm, it boasted the essentials: a local bar, a convenience store, and a Chinese restaurant. To mark our milestone, we journeyed thirty minutes to the nearest tattoo studio in Ennis, Ireland, nestled between Feakle and Tulla. We opted for nose piercings at a quirky spot called Clown Town, where the limited choices made our decisions fairly straightforward. Unfortunately, my piercing got infected just two weeks later in Spain, while my friend spent over a year searching for the perfect nose ring to replace the one we got at Clown Town.
Fast forward a few years, and I found myself the mother of twins. After what felt like an eternity of sleepless nights and constant caregiving, I finally emerged from that challenging phase. No longer was I nursing, carrying, or sharing my bed with little ones around the clock. With regular childcare support, I began to reclaim my independence—rediscovering the joy of sleep felt like a rebirth.
Eager to revamp my wardrobe and toss out my stretchy pants, I quickly realized I hadn’t lost the weight from my twin pregnancy. In lieu of shopping, I found other ways to celebrate my newfound freedom: I added vibrant blue and purple extensions to my hair, planned a getaway with my best friend, and got another piercing in my ear.
Yet, as life would have it, illness struck several family members and friends. The reminder to live fully each day echoed in my mind. I’ve always aimed to avoid regrets, but these health scares underscored the reality that I couldn’t postpone my bucket list for an undetermined future. Truly, there’s no time like the present.
A long-held desire for a tattoo resurfaced with renewed intensity. Though I had always hesitated due to its permanence, I had resorted to piercings in my twenties—at least those could be changed! However, I knew it was essential to choose a tattoo that held significance and would not leave me with regrets. After browsing countless designs online, one in particular resonated with me deeply. I knew it was time to make my mark.
The placement became a crucial decision. I didn’t want to hide my tattoo away; that would defeat its purpose. I also wanted to avoid any areas that might distort the design as my body aged. Eventually, I settled on the perfect spot.
As I braced myself for the pain, I endured 15 minutes of discomfort as the tattoo took form. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as painful as I had anticipated. More than anything, it felt rewarding to see my imagination become a reality. On the inside of my left foot, I now have a branch with three birds, symbolizing my children. I find myself admiring and touching it frequently. Had I gotten a tattoo in my youth, I likely would have regretted it; I hadn’t yet lived enough to choose something truly meaningful—certainly not something as cherished as my children.
My 4-year-old son immediately noticed my tattoo. Struggling to explain what it was, I called it a boo-boo. He quickly corrected me, saying, “Mama, that doesn’t look like a boo-boo. It looks like a tattoo.” After I recovered from my laughter and congratulated him on his clever observation, I explained its significance. His innocent response was, “Mommy, that isn’t right. You are missing two birds. You are missing you and Daddy.” Once again, I found myself speechless in the presence of my child’s innocent wisdom. Although I had once doubted I would ever get a tattoo, I now eagerly anticipate my next one.
For those looking for guidance on family planning, resources like March of Dimes provide excellent information on fertility treatment options. Health and wellness insights can also be found at Morning Buzz with Dr. Lee, an authoritative source on fertility myths. Additionally, if you’re interested in boosting fertility, check out Make a Mom for supplements that may help.
In conclusion, waiting until motherhood to get my first tattoo allowed me to choose something that truly represents my life and love. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful decisions often come with time and experience.