When I was 19, I went to a biker tattoo parlour—the old-school type with clip art on the wall with a number attached, where you pick an image to get inked. Of course, as a young woman, I opted to get a butterfly on my hip. Butterflies are free—it seemed like the right image for me to get tattooed.

For me, every tattoo carries its own story, and each design holds a specific meaning that resonates with my life. Each piece is a reflection of my gratitude for the experiences and passions that have shaped me.

Ten years later, I got my next tattoo—the young boy from Dr. Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go! on my shoulder. Very small but meaningful, as Oh, the Places You'll Go! is one of my favorite books and the only one I read every year.

At that point, I made the determination to get a new tattoo every decade. For me, I like to sit on a design idea for a few years (as it is permanent art on my body) before committing.

At the age of 40, I got matching tattoos with my sister—an Icelandic dream charm symbol. My dad created a beautiful piece of West Coast living with a design of water, trees, and mountains, which I got tattooed on my other shoulder.

At 50, I started to move into bigger pieces. That year, I celebrated my Scottish history with a thistle tattoo to have a balance of Iceland and Scotland reflected on my leg—a reminder of my heritage.

One of the best gifts I ever received was from my daughters when they got matching "Mom" tattoos in Thailand on my 50th birthday.

While in Nashville a couple of years ago, my daughters and I all got poke-and-stick tattoos with a local Nashville artist. We each got a different piece that meant something to each of us. Sharing this experience, as well as a mutual appreciation for tattoos, was a wonderful day with my daughters.

Over the past seven years, I have started to get new tattoos each year. This month, I celebrated my birthday with a gift to myself—a new piece. I think it may be my last (never say never), as I am beginning to run out of body parts to tattoo. This piece will encompass my love of music and appreciation for how it enriches my life.

My new tattoo inspired by my love of music.

Throughout history, tattoos have been used to signify everything from tribal affiliation to personal milestones. I admire the way different cultures and individuals employ tattoos as symbols of belonging, spirituality, or beauty. Learning about various tattooing traditions has deepened my appreciation for the diversity of human experiences and the myriad ways we express ourselves.

Tattoos are an art form that captivates me. The craftsmanship that goes into creating a tattoo is remarkable. Artists pour their creativity, skill, and passion into every piece. Each tattoo artist brings a unique flair to their work. It continues to amaze me how I can describe an idea, and the artist can design something that might not have been how I envisioned the piece, but the creation is better and brings dimensions I had not considered.

I do not think tattoos need to mean anything other than what you want. For me, I like to have each piece tell a story, but sometimes it's just ink.