Jesse and Devin tattoo: This is the name of their boys. They drew this image, and asked the tattoo artist to transfer it.

NORA tattoo: this is their daughters name. They drew each letter and had it tattooed on their arm in a circle.

Dragon tattoo: this represent the hardships that Toki had been through. The hardships were haunting Toki. Toki formed the hardships into a dragon. This dragon then turns into the koi fish tattoo below.

Koi Fish tattoo: This koi fish is what the dragon turns into. It is swimming upstream, which means Toki has overcome something, and has adapted it into their life. Toki was married at 18 and divorced by 19. These tattoos represent Toki letting go of the past and getting over it.

USMC Sargent Strips tattoo: This represents Toki being in the Marine Corps. Toki did multiple combat deployments. This was the rank Toki earned while in the Marine Corps. It represents everything Toki had to endure on the battlefield. Toki got this tattoo as soon as they got out of the military. Toki needed something to remember to live by.

Never Forgotten tattoo: The “Never Forgotten” is written in italics. It is the M16 with dog tags hanging from the gun. The tattoo has dates of the birth and death of their brother’s best friend. Toki had taken him under their wing in the military. His name was Greg Postiglione, Greg Post for short. Greg committed suicide after his deployment. Greg had just gotten out and could not live with survivor’s guilt. Greg was like a brother. Toki folded the flag and gave the flag to Greg’s mom, and led the funeral. This is one of Toki’s favorite tattoos. It represented something special to them, and someone special they lost.

We who are Brave, and Will Never Live in Fear tattoos: These two tattoos represent the family issues Toki had and the bravery they had to endure.  It means you will never live in fear. If you never live in fear, you will never have to live the harsh dreams. You will not need to face the realities Toki had overcome in life. If you let the past suck you in, you will never live your future.

Semper Fidelis tattoo: Semper Fidelis means, “always faithful.” it is a Marine Corps motto. It’s a brotherhood you will never forget. You will always be faithful to it. Toki got it for their connection to the brotherhood.

Lotus Flower tattoo: Toki got this tattoo to put into transition with the dragon and koi fish. It is a lotus flower. Toki’s grandmother loved lotus flowers. Toki wanted to put this in a sleeve to show the things she taught Toki as a kid, for instance, to be brave and fearless. Toki’s grandmother is why they got many of their tattoos. She always knew what to say. She taught Toki the ways of life.

Samurai tattoo: It’s a samurai or a warrior. A lot of people have called Toki a warrior, for everything they have been through as a kid, getting to where they are today. Going through the Marine Corps. Surviving multiple combat deployments. Toki has bad memory loss. When Toki looks at their tattoos it reminds them where they have been, and how they got to today.

Praying hands with dog tags tattoo: This was Toki’s first tattoo. Toki was sixteen. Toki’s twin brother died at a young age. Toki has this a sign of him being with them at all times. The reason Toki did not get rosary beads is because they am not too religious. The dog tags were before Toki went into the Marine Corps. Toki got the dog tags because they were inseparable. Like dog tags, you don’t go one place without the other. That was how they were. Toki lost him at a young age, so this is how Toki keeps him close.

Tribal tattoo: Toki got the outline done in North Carolina before their first deployment. It was not shaded for a while; it just looked like a big zigzag. When Toki got back from a deployment they got it shaded in. This tattoo has to do with their marriage as well. The money Toki used for this tattoo was supposed to go to their ex. Instead, Toki went and got the shittiest tattoo they could find. This was so their ex could not get the money.

Japanese Temple tattoo: I (JoeJoe) did not get the story for this tattoo.  My guess is that it’s also connected to growing stronger, and finding an eventual path to peace. If the owner of this tattoo sees this, please message me and provide details! Thank you!