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The Changes I’ve Made to My Body Reflect My Life Journey
I don’t often glance at my tattoo on my lower back, a “tramp stamp” if you will, though we didn’t have that label back when I got it in my 20s. The colors are still striking, and I can’t help but chuckle when I think of the day I got it—my friend still teases me about the look on my face when the needle hit the most tender spot. It was a chaotic time in my life when I was making some pretty wild choices. I don’t think about that phase much, just like I rarely look at the tattoo, but I appreciate having that part of my history.
As for my earrings, I still coordinate them with the six silver hoops in my ears. I often swap out the two in my lobes, but the cartilage hoops have stayed put. Sometimes I wonder if it’s time to retire them—am I too old for eight earrings? But no, I’ve been adding to that collection since I got my first earrings at 12 years old at the mall, all the way to the cartilage piercings I got at a tattoo shop in Georgetown. I’m not ready to part with them yet.
My navel ring is a different story. I kept it through my first pregnancy thanks to a flexible piece of jewelry, but I removed it before my emergency C-section. While I miss that piece from my 20s, I now have thin scar lines that represent the pivotal moments of my 30s—the surgeries that welcomed my children into the world.
I look at my face every day. Makeup has always been my thing, so I’ve closely followed the changes in my features. Last year, I gave in to vanity and asked a cosmetic dermatologist to address the droopiness of my left eye, which seemed to be aging faster than the right. A little Botox worked wonders and brought some symmetry back, a final attempt to hold onto a youthful look. But the web of fine lines around my eyes? They’re here to stay, just like the shadows stretching from my mouth to my nose. I could consult my Botox lady on how to fill those gaps, but honestly? It’s easier to just smile more and mask the lines with happiness.
My body tells the story of my life. Scars and marks reflect my teenage years, my 20s, and my 30s. I’ve etched memories and emotions into my skin over the years with tattoos and piercings. Now that I’m a year into my 40s, nature has taken over where ink and metal used to reign. Each laugh at my daughter’s Disney renditions, every tear shed for my grandparents, and those moments of squinting into bright sunlight at my son’s first soccer match—they’re all there. The marks on my hands where my husband slid rings onto my fingers are reminders of love and commitment. Time’s traces coexist with my tattoos and piercings, weaving a precious narrative that I don’t want to hide.
I’m not looking to erase my past. I will embrace my tattoos, piercings, scars, and wrinkles, all of which map out my journey thus far. If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. And for those looking into artificial insemination kits, Make A Mom is a great authority on the subject. If you have questions or want to connect, feel free to visit this blog post for more insights.
In summary, our bodies are personal maps that chronicle our unique journeys, filled with stories of love, loss, and growth.