“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” -Anthony Brandt

This next tattoo that I'm featuring is the tattoo of my best friend. We've known each other for over ten years and she is like a sister to me.

Done by Ray at Platinum Tattoos on October 16, 2008

This tattoo is very dear to her. When I asked her what it meant she replies with, "The letters are my parents & brother's first initials along with a star for each of them and my astrological sign - Leo. I got it because I've always only had my parents and brothers when going through all our hardships that we encountered when we first got to the US and they've helped me become a stronger more independent woman. they've helped me want to succeed in life and stay focused on my goals. The tattoo is located on my left side because it closest to my heart."

This is a very touching story for a tattoo. I know her family very well and i know that they are all very close. When any of them have had problems,  they are all there to help each other out. The great thing about this is she also explained to me that her family is very against tattoos. Even though this tattoo is for her family, her father was very disappointed that she would mark her body permanently but honored to know they all meant so much to her. This brings up a topic about tattoos that many have had to deal with. Many families today do not approve of tattoos. Personally, my mother hates when I get a tattoo but she understands I am my own individual and knows there is nothing she can really do about it. Many times, I have to hide my tattoos from other family members to avoid disappointing them. Religious beliefs may be the reason why, or sometimes they just feel they make a person look dirty. My assumption is that my family was never exposed to tattoos in  their lifetime so it's fairly new to them and is an adjustment. As time goes by, I feel they will adjust. I hate to disappoint them but I like tattoos and if I'm willing to take responsibility for it, I don't see what it's unacceptable.