The more cities we moved around to, whether living in them or just staying in them for a short while, the more I was exposed to some really interesting and beautiful artwork - on the human body. Living in Austin, TX for an off-season will really give you the inking itch - there are so many beautifully awesome pieces walking around there.
Matt and I have a few that are close to our heart and we often get questions (what & why) when they are noticed. I wanted to write a little blog on a little bit about some of the tattoos we have, why we have them, and what they mean.
Our wedding bands are the smallest bits of ink that we have on our bodies but they are also the most meaningful to both of us. We got them the day after we got married in the town that we were married in (Sandusky, OH). Two separate artists did the initials that are etched into both our ring fingers - a man and a woman couple. The man did Mo's 'km' (Kalee Maloney) and his girlfriend did my 'mm' (Matt Maloney). We decided to get the tattoos instead of getting actual wedding bands because it really is more appropriate, we think, for our characters and personal style. We wanted to do something different than every other couple. Mo and I have a great appreciation for the true art that a tattoo can most certainly be. We put a lot of thought into it and decided we would forego the traditional silver wedding bands and do something a little more unique and much more fitting for the relationship that we've built over all these years. It means a great deal to Matt and I that no matter where we are, what we're doing, or who we're with, we will forever have a little bit of one another soaked right there under the skin and reminded of the incredible care and commitment we've put into each other - something we are both very proud of.
The permanentness of the tattoo on the ring finger was never an issue - obviously. We both know we're in it to win it - all the way til the end.
Matt's forearm tattoo is the most noticed and intricate tattoo on his body (at the moment). It is his own family tree complete with deep roots holding his birthdate, a full trunk and many leaves and branches. Etched into the branches in twig-like detail are a few other important dates to him - his MLB debut date & our wedding date. Scattered throughout the tree are buckeye leaves as well, representing his passion for Ohio and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The tree is a growing work of art that will be added to as the years pass and our lives progress, filling it with moments and memories that are close to both our hearts.
My very first tattoo: a word scribed into my right wrist with a meaning and message so deeply instilled in me and so important in my life that I thought there would be no other place to put it than on the hand that greets each person I meet: "Namasté"
In its simplest translation, and the words I use most when asked what it means, it says - "the goodness in me recognizes and honors the goodness in you." It is a way in which I have been brought up my entire life and continue to practice with each new individual that comes into my life. Yes, it is a Sanskrit term that is also used in many Yoga practices (usually at the end). It reminds me to look for the light within each person. It reminds me that we are ALL connected and that the powerful energy running through me, is the same energy running through every other living thing. I've included a link with a much more in depth look into the meaning and origins of this very special word. I've also included my favorite translation of the word's meaning:
NAMASTE (<--click for more details)
Matt's most recent piece of work is that of a beautiful, hand-drawn hawk on the inside of his right bicep. A talented artist and dear friend of ours, Audrey Lantry, drew up this striking nature-inspired piece after Matt had expressed his interest in getting a new tattoo (he's in the process of completing a full sleeve for his right arm). He chose a hawk for the pure and simple fact that he has always loved that bird. Since he was a little kid, on road trips and hunting excursions, he would scan the sky looking to see how many hawks he might be able to get a glimpse of. He truly thinks it is just a really cool bird. To this day he does that same thing on our long and short trips to whichever city we are headed to. It turned out to be a really beautiful piece.
There are a few more tattoos that I purposefully chose not to include, mostly because they were decisions made a tad bit young and do not have the meaning nor the beauty that these do.
There will undoubtedly be more to come... for both of us. Stay tuned for our ongoing body artwork exhibit ;)
