Haley's Story~

Meet Haley: 

I first met Haley online--she is friends with another woman in the Women's Tattoo Project. At first she was going to send me her pix from Texas, where she lives, but because she was planning a trip back to Massachusetts for Christmas to a nearby town where she grew up , I got to meet her and take her pictures myself. Haley is a full-time medical student and homemaker.

 

Haley's story:

I currently have eight tattoos and am planning on several more. All of my tattoos mean something to me and make me who I am. My first tattoo I got when I was 18, basically as soon as I was legally allowed. My plan was to get a large tattoo pertaining to my horse, but I was also getting my "husband tattoo" and when we got there I decided on something smaller for my first, which was also very dear to my heart. 

My first tattoo was a swirly heart with sparkles and my first love’s name in it--who is now my husband.  I absolutely love it! No matter what people say about name tattoos, it means so much to me and I will always keep it as it is an important part in my life to remember all the good and bad times that gave me love.

My next tattoo was for my cat of 15 years. I raised him from a few days old and he was truly the best cat I could ever ask for and my baby. He is no longer with us as he was diagnosed with cancer and diabetes, and after treatment the cancer returned and we lost him. I got his paw print In memory of him when I was 19.

 

My next tattoo was a Celtic knot work symbol. I had been excited about this tattoo. I also wear this symbol around my neck and have since I was nine. I got this tattoo a symbol of my heritage and for its meaning. I was 23-years-old.  

My fourth tattoo was an Egyptian hieroglyph-- the symbol of ankh, this was because of my fascination with the Egyptian culture and everything about it. I am going to be getting another Egyptian hieroglyph tattoo soon.

Horses, especially, have always meant the world to me and have always been a huge part of my life. I also love fantasy and the way horses seem so wild and free and give you the same feeling. 

My Hamsa tattoo was my design. and every part of it down to its color, was carefully chosen. Each piece has meaning and purpose. After going through some tough times recently, I really wanted this design tattooed on me to help me, in my own way, cope and move forward with my life. I started with just looking at the history of Hamsas and their meaning, then I looked into how you are supposed to put colors and symbols that have significant meaning to you in the Hasma. So I chose lotus flowers, the cycles of the moon, a blooming lily, and the all seeing eye. All have wonderful symbolism which is dear to me so I made sure they were in the design, and then chose colors for serenity and peace. I love my tattoo and I can't wait to get another one.

Haley's feelings about tattoos:

When I got my first tattoo at 18, I never told my family I got it. It was in a place that was not visible in normal clothes, but I also got my nose ring at the same time--which I got a lot of grief for. My father actually wouldn't look at me for two weeks. After about two or three months, I went to go swimming and my mom saw me she immediately noticed the tattoo and said, “That better be henna.” Lol. 

I laughed and jumped in the pool. After some disappointment my parents got over it.  My friends also gave me some grief over some tattoos, mainly the name one, but I was comfortable and my sister Christy supported me and so did two family friends who did the same; they got each other’s name to symbolize their eternal love and bond before same-sex marriage was allowed. Other than that my family has been pretty supportive.  

My mother even tried to show off my Celtic tattoo to friends and what not. My friends well most of them have quite a lot of tattoos; actually Kathee Coolen is one of my best friends and she is also in this article. 

I do have plans for several more tattoos more for memories of people to honor them and for honoring pets, but also symbolism tattoos.

Sometimes I keep my tattoos to myself; some people are touchy-feely and it is strange when some random person walks up behind you and touches your body, and says , “Oooo, nice tattoo. Is that a pony?”

I just get creeped out and I'll say yes and freak out that they touched me. If you simply ask, I'm cool. If you’re a stranger and deem to touch my tattoos without permission, I'm angry and freaked out.  I feel like people just don't understand personal space. I never cover my tattoos to hide them. I love them and am proud that I have them.

It took me awhile to get my tattoos simply because every time I made an appointment for the tattoo studio, my husband would want something, and it would take up the whole time and all my money, but I love him and it gave me time to plan things more thoroughly to be put on me permanently.