A couple weeks ago, after three out of four of my college finals were over, I hopped into one of my sorority sisters’ cars and we drove over to get a vibrating needle dragged across my skin for two hours.

All joking aside, I had wanted to get a tattoo for a while, but I really wanted it to mean something to me since it would be so permanent. I decided to honor one of the most difficult yet shaping periods of my life, when my colon tried to kill me, by getting a phoenix. For those who may be unfamiliar, a phoenix is a mythological bird that periodically dies and is reborn, rising in flames from the ashes of its predecessor. Since I had literally almost died during that time, I felt it appropriate. It also corresponds with my religion; as a Christian I believe my God has sacrificed His Son so that I might have eternal life. Along the top is the phrase “Sola Fide,” which in Latin means “By Faith Alone,” which follows along that same theme.

Overall though, it felt like getting a hot cat scratch, interestingly enough, and it’s finally all healed up. I’m still very happy with my decision and love the way it turned out! It also comes with the added bonus of making me seem much more hardcore than I actually am, but I’ll go with it.