I’m A Mom With Tattoos – Melissa

Welcome back to another installment in our new series – I’m A Mom With Tattoos.  In case you have missed the last couple, don’t forget to check them out here.

Are you eating chocolate for breakfast?  If not you totally should be because EASTER WEEKEND and so you have my permission!!   We are all still recovering from flu and pink eye but definitely not letting it get our spirits down, because chocolate for breakfast is the cure for pretty much everything.

This week we get to know Melissa and the story behind her swallows.  My advice?  Get your partner/kid/dog/cat to fix you a lovely cup of the good stuff so you don’t even have to leave the couch (or the chocolate) to get into today’s post.

Name and blog deets:  My name is Melissa Anne Wentzel and my blog is called Melissa The Creative, but you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I blog about the pursuit of purpose in your twenties (all my own experiences). My blog also follows a current project of mine called 100 Things In 2014, which is essentially a bucket list of 100 personal goals (big and small) to be completed this year. I encourage others to join in with a list of their own and upload their accomplishments (preferably with pictures) – #100ThingsIn2014. So far it’s been an awesome tool for self-discovery, it’s uplifting, and super fun.

How old are you: I’m 26.

A Mom’s favourite thing to do is talk about their children – tell us about your family:  I’m currently at home with my baby girl but the work bug has bitten and I’m looking for a writing position in the digital media industry right now. It’s number 101 on my list.

Your Occupation?  I have 2 kids of my own. A delectable daughter, Meka, who is 4 months old and a gorgeous rascal of a son, Mason, who’s turning 3 soon and just completely finished his potty training (so I can scratch that from my list). I also have 2 beautiful stepdaughters, Tia – 12, and Rio – 7. As far as stepdaughters go, these 2 are great. I never imagined I’d have such a big family, but I love my family and can’t imagine it any different now. We’re like a modern day Brady bunch.

Tell us a bit about your tattoo’s, what they are, why you have them, where they are located:  I have 2 swallows on my tummy, one on the inside of each hipbone. I got them when I was in my second year at college. It was during a time when I had to choose between being a graphic designer or an art director. I asked my DTP (desktop publishing) lecturer for advice on how to decide. Instead of advice he told me I didn’t strike him as a designer – designers apparently look more ‘out there’ with their different way of dressing and their tattoos. Challenge accepted. I went on to design a t-shirt for a project I was working on that quickly changed his opinion and I also won a national Nike t-shirt design competition that year. I decided to get a tattoo after that, and I designed it myself. He was right though; I liked art direction more than design.

Age of first tattoo?   I was about 19 or 20 when I got my tattoo.

Which tattoo is your favourite and why? I never got anything else after the 2 swallows, so they’re my favourite by default. I did a lot of research before I got my tattoo because I wasn’t sure what I wanted it to symbolize. The story behind the swallows was that officers in the navy during WWII got them so if they died at sea, the swallow would fly their souls home to their families. I was going through a rebellious phase during that period, my relationship with my mom was under a lot of strain and I was out all the time. I guess I got that tattoo for my mom. Even through the tough times I loved her dearly (and still do) and would always want to come home to her.

Do you plan on getting more? I don’t think I would get any more tattoos. The first one I got just so I could have a tattoo and not be labeled as ‘conservative’. I wanted to be a little different. These days everybody has a tattoo so you’re more unique if you don’t have one.

How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Well my mom was at a point where she knew whatever she said I did the opposite, so she never said anything about it. My dad didn’t want me to get it but he also accepted it, as did my stepdad. My husband isn’t really a fan of tattoos but he loves mine.

What is the general reaction that “the Public” have towards your tattoos? Have you run into any negativity or adversity because of them? Well, because of the location of my tattoo, nobody gets to see it really. It’s ironic, I got it to be less conservative but then put it in a spot nobody could see it – which is a bit of a conservative thing to do. In general I think society has become more accepting of the odd little tattoo. The full sleeves and the like are probably still a little intimidating to the ‘suits’.

Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed? I would advise that you approach getting a tattoo with the same amount of caution you would a prospective marriage partner. Ask yourself if you can spend the rest of your life with the tattoo. Would you still love it when it’s old and wrinkly?

Don’t forget to get in touch with me if you want to feature in this series 🙂