We all have a way of moving on, we all have a way of showing strength, and we all have a way of making a point, mine is more than a blog, more then writing back every young woman who reaches out to me about abuse, or how they are going through a hard break up. I made my point and started my journey with something that some of you may think is so minor-- I got a tattoo, and it means more to me then a piece of art. It is my way of starting this new journey and showing I can stand strong, just like the piece of art on my body.
I turned 23 on April 10th and on April 11th
I walked into a tattoo parlor, with my two best friends by my side, and scared to death! I explained to the young man that I wanted a giraffe (shocked I know-for those of you who know me) on my wrist. He started to draw it, as I sat there very afraid of pain, with my friends by my side. He explained to me that it wouldn’t hurt that bad and said, “you can do this.” Then an older man across from me said, “I promise you that you have been through worse.” Little did he know that the past couple of months have been the worse months I have endured.
At that moment I knew this little tattoo was filled with every emotion I have recently felt: hurt, pain, and fear, but also courage. This tattoo, represents everything I wanted for the past two years, but was told, “I was not allowed” to have. It is everything I was feeling about standing tall and being brave. It also my symbolizes my journey of never giving up and never letting anyone tell me who I should be. Rather, it reminds me to be who I want to be, regardless of what I am told in a relationship, by family member, or by a friend. You are meant to be the person you want to be, and that’s a fact.
I sit here and can tell you my story about how I was beat down and everything I went though, or I can tell you about the day I got my tattoo, which was the day I learned everything was going to be okay. This is my symbol for moving on and it is the first step on the long journey I call my life.
Cheers to you ladies! Never let anyone tell you to be someone you are not! Be you, be brave, and stand tall (like a giraffe).
XOXO,
Molly Francis
I turned 23 on April 10th and on April 11th
I walked into a tattoo parlor, with my two best friends by my side, and scared to death! I explained to the young man that I wanted a giraffe (shocked I know-for those of you who know me) on my wrist. He started to draw it, as I sat there very afraid of pain, with my friends by my side. He explained to me that it wouldn’t hurt that bad and said, “you can do this.” Then an older man across from me said, “I promise you that you have been through worse.” Little did he know that the past couple of months have been the worse months I have endured.
At that moment I knew this little tattoo was filled with every emotion I have recently felt: hurt, pain, and fear, but also courage. This tattoo, represents everything I wanted for the past two years, but was told, “I was not allowed” to have. It is everything I was feeling about standing tall and being brave. It also my symbolizes my journey of never giving up and never letting anyone tell me who I should be. Rather, it reminds me to be who I want to be, regardless of what I am told in a relationship, by family member, or by a friend. You are meant to be the person you want to be, and that’s a fact.
I sit here and can tell you my story about how I was beat down and everything I went though, or I can tell you about the day I got my tattoo, which was the day I learned everything was going to be okay. This is my symbol for moving on and it is the first step on the long journey I call my life.
Cheers to you ladies! Never let anyone tell you to be someone you are not! Be you, be brave, and stand tall (like a giraffe).
XOXO,
Molly Francis