I had a goal to get a tattoo in every state in the U.S.
Did I accomplish this seemingly impossible and quite silly goal?
How long did it take?
Once I realized I had four tattoos from 3 different states. Woo!
“Hey, what if I got a tattoo in EVERY state in the U.S.!”
Yes, I’m going to do that!!
Number 6, 7
Ok, but I already had a problem. I could not get a tattoo in the state of South Carolina. It was illegal to have a tattoo parlor in the state of South Carolina until 2004. That is how I got my sixth tattoo in Georgia (a tribal type design around my right forearm) and my seventh tattoo in Kentucky (another tribal design on my stomach).
I Confess...
Umm…Ok…I have a small, or slightly large confession to make.
It starts to get a little fuzzy as to the order and exactly when I got the next several tattoos…I reported to my sea-duty command near the end of 1998 and left for my next command in Connecticut in December 2003.
Number 8
When I first arrived at my see-duty command, I met a boy and visited his hometown for Christmas. While there, I just had to find a tattoo parlor. Choosing from pre-drawn design.
I got (what looked like to me) an S-7 design on my left forearm while in New Jersey.
This one got touched up about 20 years later…
Number 9, 10, 11, 12
I was stationed in Virginia for four-plus years. While not working, I was plotting my next tattoo. Because I was strongly against the whole "sleeve" idea, I had to be thoughtful and strategic as to where each new tattoo would be placed on my body.
I got yin-yang dragons on my left upper leg. I love dragons, so naturally. Ask me about my dragon collection sometime.
I got some type of heart tribal on my lower back. Tramp-stamp all the way. Seriously, what was I thinking. Oh, to be young and stupid...
I got a four-leaf clover in a “special” location. Only my husband gets to enjoy that one. ;)
At some point, around 2001, I went to Halifax, Canada. I got a tribal-like tattoo around my belly button. Not the best decision, let me tell you. But I can say I have one from out of the country.
Not only don’t I remember the exact dates, but I can’t even find any original pictures.
Final Decision
At this point, I’m wondering if this is still the best idea ever.
No — it's not! Come on, seriously.
If my 43-year-old self could talk to my 23-year-old self, I would smack her silly and tell her not to waste her time on meaningless tattoos!
I would also tell her not to get married that first time! But that is for a different story*sigh*
That was the end of the tattoos in 50 states idea.
That doesn't mean it was the end of my tattoo journey...far from it.
You'll have to come back for the rest of the story…
If you want to join the ShannonThink mailing list - click here!
Please note that I am an affiliate. If you purchase products through this blog post or shannonthink.com, I will earn a commission.
Comments