Mi Amor

Mi Amor

My first tattoo commemorates one of the most transformational times in my adolescent life. The start of its meaning began during my junior year in high school. I had attended a catholic high school and was a firm believer in love being a game for fools. Since all I had seen growing up both through friends, social media, and elsewhere always had a somewhat fatal encounter. So it had me rather stumped when I had someone so persistently pursue me by dropping clues. My ex-girlfriend and I met during softball. Which is just extra ironic with the stereotype of gay girls in softball on top of being in a catholic high school, trust me I know! But nonetheless the relationship grew, then we graduated. Having been apart of each others life for that long we both reached a major change in our lives that drew us somewhat apart. I attended a local community college while she finished her last year in high school. It was during that time frame that I had a better understanding of what my love language was, a term coined by Dr. Gary Chapman. Skipping forward a bit past her graduation I had decided to pursue something I had a long sought after to do. That was to become an ESL teacher since the pay was good, the degree I was going for had no meaning and the only reason to stay was because of my ex-girlfriend. She let me go as a means to not stand in my way and so that lead to a sad goodbye. With many colder nights to come and oversea phone calls to be had. Because she, nor anyone was enough for me to put my goals aside. So I satisfied my need to travel and set my soul free. Although in hindsight if I hadn’t gone I wouldn’t have realized my newfound passion and that was tattooing. Prior to meeting my ex-girlfriend I had my hands deep in the art community and had dabbled in just about everything for a multitude of years. Which I realized that lead up to that very moment I came to Fishbone Tattoo Studio. Which is the very place I began my tattoo apprenticeship. But even with all the fun, unforgettable memorable experiences I had during my time in Hanoi, Vietnam my soul reminded me again. I yearned for a home or in other words a person to return to day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year. For a consistent love and one that is full of comfort and loving embraces. As well as someone to grow with as I continue my journey though what we call life. Even to build something together since I am a rather business, entrepreneur minded person. Initially, my approach always left people behind to pursue my passions, need to travel, and stretch of freedom. The lack of this while being gone but trying to do long-distance lead to a mental break down since I was having to choose between her and my career. It made me feel as though my decisions and lifestyle would never allow for me to get what my soul craved. It was during this that I had discovered an instagram artist by the username of FlowSoftly. His artwork spoke such profound words to me with the turmoil I felt that I was going through that I dedicated it to be inked on my body with my own attachment to the meaning. As quoted this is the meaning he gave it, “It’s not that I’m not that I’m not happy on my own. Im just so much happier with you. It’s not It’s not that I’m not strong on my own. I’m just so much stronger with you. It’s not that I can’t live on my own. Life is just so much more beautiful when shared with you.” It made me realize that independence is great but there is even greater strength in being able to trust another with your heart. That happiness can be achieved on owns but another person is just that extra something you didn’t realize you could go without. Life becomes more beautiful to experience with another person because it paints an entirely different image than before. That is not infatuation but rather appreciation of being able to experience life together. Even though we are told to not depend on another for our own unique happiness. But also how much we as human beings desire that very connection and are all fighting through his dilemma together but under different circumstances. So I’m glad to have learned this lesson early on so that I make better decisions moving forward for both my career and heart. Without having to sacrifice one over the other in any given scenario.