My tattoo is the tree of life with German script underneath that reads "Familie Erste" ("Family First"). I chose the design because of it's symbolic meaning of life, death and regeneration and, of course, because it looks really cool. I chose to get the tattoo on the left side of my body because it is closer to my heart.
It took about a month to decide on a tattoo parlor. I visited four shops and eventually decided on X-Treme Illusions in Downtown Gainesville. I had to wait for a weekend when my best friend, Karissa, could come to Gainesville because we wanted to get out tattoos together. Her design (also shown) is dedicated to her family as well. "KNL" stands for the first initial of all three sibling's names.
A note about rib tattoos
Of all places on your body to get a tattoo, I would strongly recommend thinking long and hard about a rib tattoo. It is definitely painful, but if you think you can withstand the pain, I think it is one of the best places to get inked. Easily hidden, it's a location that no one sees unless you deliberately expose it.
What it felt like
This is the most difficult part of the experience to explain. By the time the stencil of your design has been created, applied, wiped off and reapplied to your skin, you are already somewhat raw. Add to it the fact that you are semi-clothed in public, under fluorescent lighting, and watching a large needle being assembled by the artist, I think nerves cause even more hypersensitivity. The first few strokes of the needle were dulled by my adrenaline rush, but after 10 minutes in, I started to really feel it. The skin by your underarms is sort of ticklish too, so I was between laughing and crying the whole time. Whenever the artist went over a rib bone, it was incredibly painful because the skin is so thin. All told, it took about 45 minutes of teeth grinding, cussing and squeezing Karissa's hand to death until it was finished. I think a tattoo anywhere else would not be nearly as painful. However, it was not unbearable, just be ready to be very uncomfortable.