Cancer tattoo: They were born in July and it’s their astrological sign. They got it for their birthday. They were up in North Carolina and they were 16. Their mom and uncle split the cost: it was a birthday present.

Cross tattoo: Their mom has the same tattoo in the same spot and this is for their mom.

Ring tattoo: The ring tattoo is a reminder that the only person they are responsible for is themselves. They originally got it in a relationship, and decided instead of keeping it as is, to redo the tattoo. The ring used to be numbers and now it’s just the band. It keeps them responsible for who they are. This tattoo is on their wedding finger.

Compass tattoo: They got this from a drunken party. They were having fun, their friend had a tattoo gun. It came out pretty well they are happy with it.

Sugar Skull tattoo: Tim Brown owns a tattoo shop in Charleston called Breakthrough Tattoo. Tim saw them buy their cousin a tattoo while Tim was in town. Tim was so moved by this action that he gave them a gift certificate for a tattoo. Tim designed this whole piece for them after they explained some of their favorite symbols. The tattoo took a long time, but they think it was worth it.

The roses and skulls are part of a bigger piece that will happen on their arm. It is connected to death. The plan is that after the Spanish, to have a Latin piece that says, “Memento Mori.” It’s important to remember that we are all mortal, and we have to live our lives to the fullest because we are going to die. Tim is designing it one piece at a time.

Hakuna Matata tattoo: Lion King was an awesome movie and they have always lived by this phrase. Live life, don’t worry about it, and things will come and go. You will be alright in the end. They got it when they were 21. There was a young girl that wanted to be a tattoo artist, and she had been practicing. She had practiced all that she could without actually tattooing people. She asked if she could practice, and they said yes, figuring it would be easily covered if it was not very good. Luckily, she did an alright job, and Hakuna Matata is the phrase they thought would be best.

Laughing Coffin tattoo: This is symbol from an anime called Sword Art Online. There is a symbol of a guild in there called Laughing Coffin. In the game it was the most feared guild because all they did was kill other people. They thought it was cool, and they are planning on later getting 2 more tattoos: a cuff for evil, and a cuff for good.

Love and be loved written in Greek tattoo: They got this tattoo as reminder to always love first. If you love first, then everyone will love you back. If you are kind to people, then people will be kind back. They are Greek and figured it was a good language to learn.

Dog tattoo: Their partner surprised them with the dog. The dog’s name is Java. He is a chocolate lab. They added the whole scene with the tree, moon and mountains. This was because they were going to take their dog hiking down the Appalachian Trail. When they learned that Java has elbow dysplasia, they could not take him so they commemorated him in tattoos.

Note: The tattoo is the same dog as their partner’s tattoo last week.

Dream Catcher tattoo: This was Quinn’s first tattoo. Quinn and their sister got matching tattoos. When they were about 8 or 9 years old, Quinn would go into their sister’s room and sleep under her bed because they had nightmares. Quinn’s dad would say “You can’t do that. You need to sleep in your own room.” Quinn would steal her dream catcher from her room to sleep at night. They continually stole back and forth the dream catcher. They both got a dream catcher tattoo with their initials on them. The J and Q are the first initial in each of their names (Quinn is a made-up name). The skeleton hand at the top is for the nightmares trying to grab you.

Dog Tattoo: The dog’s name is Java Beans. Quinn and their partner got dog tattoos because he has elbow dysplasia. His elbows are locked in place. The vet says he is in constant pain everyday. He runs around like he is happy and joyful all the time. Quinn got this tattoo to remind them that even in the hard times you have to be happy. You gotta attempt to find joy in everything no matter how much pain you are going through.

Note: The image is of the same dog from their partner’s tattoo next week.

Fishing Scene tattoo: The two people on the boat are Quinn and their dad. Quinn and their sisters bought their dad a boat for his 50th birthday. They got him the boat because he works way to much. They told him to get out and enjoy something besides working.  Under the boat tattoo is the treasure chest which is mom. She is symbolized under the water like a secret treasure chest.

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!