I Have Tatoos

Got my first tattoo when I was 23, being caught in a love triangle, falling for someone I had met in an English class while being married to an extremely nice and devoted guy. Couldn't leave him to be with the new one but realised that being in love was essential for a happy relationship. So I got the latter's initials tattooed near my ankle, designed in the form of my and his astrological signs blended together.

I ended marrying this guy 5 years later, had two beautiful kids with him and that was when I got the second tattoo in the middle of my upper back: our girls' initials combined. He got the same tattoo but on his right forearm.

Being in an interracial marriage requires a lot of adaptation and tolerance. We have changed and gone through a lot together, but sometimes cultural differences still strike, and strike hard! The last time it happened, last year, I went to get my newest tattoo: a twisted tree covering my whole back with roots stretching down to my thighs, symbolizing strength and wisdom. "Strength to change what I can, serenity to accept what I can't change and wisdom to know the difference".

After all, we've been together as a couple for the last 13 years, hopefully for many more 13-years to come.