I went to a tattoo shop with some friends over 10 years ago, one of them got inked that day. (The Troy Lee Designs piston/rod and cross spark plugs) While browsing through the wall art, I came across an American flag behind some claw marks that caught my eye. I immediately thought to have the Puerto Rican flag (for dad) and the Aruban flag (for mom) put behind the claw marks. I was never in a real hurry to get them...just a "If I ever decide to get tattoo'ed, that's what it would be" kind of deal. Once all the tattoo shows hit the scene though, I got the itch and wanted my pieces.
The/my original design looked like this.
My guy came up with these designs...
After watching these tattoo shows for so long, my expectations grew to be what I saw on TV; go in, tell/show what you want, artist draws it up and shows you, after approval, tattoo takes place, then get up and check it out! Guy didn't even show me the design at first! He's like, almost ready to start, and I had to ask..."Um, can I see the design?!" He's like...."Well, here it is...but you won't be able to make anything out of it. You just gotta trust me." So I did....and the only expectation I had that was met was....he knocked it out of the freakin PARK! I was blown away with the design! But again...I had to ask to see it in the mirror?! He was just going to wrap it up and send me on my way? Weird....
But in the end, they're awesome pieces, and I couldn't be happier to honor my parents in this way.
I also did NOT expect it to hurt so freakin bad! I wasn't sure what to expect, but even after the experience, I can't describe how it feels...you just have to see for yourself. I hadn't really eaten anything before the first one though (I got the Aruban one first, PR one 2 weeks later), just a PB&J sandwich and some chips, so that was my bad. About halfway through the outline, I nearly passed out! We had to stop so I could get some water and chew some gum. LMAO!! Felt like a total bitch, I mean...my 56 year old mother in law got her first tattoo on her shoulder a few years ago, and she boasted about how it wasn't bad at all. Ah well, everyone's different I guess. The second one didn't hurt nearly as bad though...