Meaningful Tattoos Reign Supreme

Emily Brill

Arts and Entertainment Editor

As someone who has three meaningful tattoos, I feel as though I am qualified to give some insight on this age old debate.

I have three meaningful tattoos scattered in who or what they are dedicated to. My first tattoo, one that was given to me as a gift from my hometown friends, is my dad’s signature he wrote in my favorite book. I lost my dad a couple years ago and wanted to do something in honor of him as my first tattoo. I was always leaning towards having his signature on my arm, so that’s exactly what I did. This first tattoo meant so much to me and the rest of my family. Now every time I look down at my left forearm, I am reminded of him and all that he did for me.

My second tattoo and the matching one I have with my mom falls on the outside of my left ankle. Written in her handwriting “You are my sunshine” with a yellow sun is dedicated to my mom, who sang that lullaby to me growing up. My mom has sacrificed so much for me, even before I was born. My mom went through eight years of in vitro treatment, which basically means she had to get a lot of shots and go to the doctors way more than any other “mother to be.”

My mom has given me everything, all of my strength comes from her and everything she has endured. So, when I proposed the idea of getting matching tattoos, she was hesitant at first, but then happily agreed. I have the first part tattooed and she has “My only sunshine” in her handwriting, in the same spot, with the same yellow sun that sits right next to it.

Finally, my third tattoo sits on my right bicep, my biggest and probably, most painful tattoo is dedicated to my favorite movie “The Sound of Music”. This has been my favorite movie since I was about two or three. It never gets old every time I watch it, which is part of the reason I got a tattoo for it.

More specifically, the tattoo itself is a detailed Edelweiss flower, which is the national flower of Austria (where the movie takes place), and the title of the most beautiful, coveted song in the movie. I have memories of everyone in my family, my mom, dad, little brother, and myself singing this song as a family, as they do in the movie. Because of that, I knew I wanted a tattoo for it, just because of how much it means to me and my singing career, but also how much it means to my family.

The next tattoo I plan on getting will be matching with my best friend, Keirsten. We plan on getting a tiny image of a postcard from one of the cities we visited while in Italy during our senior year of high school. I love explaining my tattoos to anyone who asks. Now more people will know about them, but I will still explain if they ask.

Now, I’m not trying to make those who have fun tattoos feel bad. I think fun tattoos are just as important as meaningful tattoos. Sure, people need to realize this will be on their body forever, which is the main reason my tattoos have so much thought behind them, but I feel as though if there is something that makes sense to put on your body forever, go for it. It even makes explaining them to people more fun!