Today I took my oldest daughter to get her first (and I would love to think ONLY) tattoo. Yep, I said Tattoo. This has been quite a debate amongst my friends and family. Ally has heard every argument for and against since she brought this request to us approximately 6 months ago. Now....mind you, I have a tattoo, I'm not against them, my only request has been that it be modest, tasteful, and in an area where I do not have to look at it every day. I don't want it hindering her job search later in life, I don't want people pre-judging her because they can see a tattoo without getting to know her fabulous self, and honestly I don't want to see if in prom pictures, college socials, graduations and last but hopefully not least....her wedding day!
Allyson is our smart easy kid. She's graduating with an honors diploma, she's active in church, she is a student leader in NMHS's PEERS, a teen abstinence program and she's the Editor-In-Chief of the school yearbook. She doesn't talk back, she has an open mind to pretty much anything someone suggests (as long as it's legal!) and she's really just a sweet person. She's that kid in school that literally everyone likes. She stands up for her beliefs and professes her love for god to her peers, she challenges people who talk poorly or are judgemental of others, her teachers love her and her college recommendation letters have brought me to tears. OK, so I know I'm mom and I'm obviously partial, but I'm really just printing what everyone else would about her also, she really is a good kid. So this tattoo was really just one of those pick your battles thing for us as parents.
Back in the fall, I asked Ally to consider participating in the Jr. Miss Scholarship program. Now let me tell you, this is incredibly out of Ally's comfort zone, she's our guitar playing, Chuck Taylor wearing, uncoordinated girl. And without batting an eye she said to me "OK". That's how easy she is, I suggested it and she agreed. I just love that she is open to trying new things even if it involves getting out of her comfort zone. After the first meeting, Ally came home and said there is NO way I can do that......they can say its not a pageant all they want, but it is, there is dancing, a fitness program and talent....it's a pageant! So we discussed it more and finally.....I bribed her! Yep, bribed....not ashamed to admit it, and her request was the tattoo. I could have gotten off far worse, I was willing to pay big bucks to get her to do this, I really felt strongly it was something she would enjoy if she could just get past the dancing! And she did, and she did an awesome job. She played guitar and sang publicly for the first time ever.....she's played guitar for six years!!!! So many people came to me and complimented her vocal and musical talents, and most had no clue she could even sing or play let alone was so talented! Better yet, she was glad she did it, not just for the tattoo....she knows I'd have given in to that eventually anyway, but because she really came out of her shell and put her talents to use. I am so glad I choose my battle. In the grand scheme of life, this was minor and worth the price.
When Allyson was little, she was my little toe headed blond, with long curly hair, in pink dresses and bows all the time, never would I have imagined my sweet girl to grow up and play guitar, wear chuck Taylor's, typically have pink highlights in her hair and a tattoo, but she does, and she's one of the most amazing people you'll ever meet, just ask her friends. In 8 short months our sweet girl heads off to college and right now we don't know if that will be New York, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois or Indiana, but wherever she lands, I'm glad for the battles I've chosen in life, she's a pretty spectacular person.
What battles do you fight needlessly in your life? Sometimes giving in to the easy things will reap you a far greater payoff in the end.
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