I’ve always loved tiny tattoos. I never quite thought of them this way until I saw someone describe them on Instagram, but they really are like grown‑up stickers. Little mementos you carry with you, arranged with the same creative freedom you’d use to design a scrapbook page.
Over the years I’ve shared my tattoos here. Some big(ger), some small, some inexpensive, others more of an investment. Each one holds its own memory and meaning. It had been almost six years since my last one.
When I started my six‑star journey, I knew I wanted a tattoo to mark it. My original idea was six stars, each done by a different artist as I hit each milestone. But then practical‑mom mode kicked in: more artists meant more planning, more time away from the kids, and definitely more money.
That’s when I realized something. I don’t have a single tattoo by a female artist, and none from New Jersey. So when I saw Kim’s post in a local Facebook group, it felt like a sign. She’s a mom, recently back from maternity leave and calls herself a “Sunday Tattooer.” When she announced a January special for three tiny tattoos, I reached out immediately. I knew one design for sure… but what about the other two?
Three Stars
This one was the given. I wanted something a little ephemeral, varied in size, and not too uniform. More like the unpredictable nature of an unexpected journey than a row of identical GoodReads ratings. I placed them near my ankle, visible above most running socks, because they represent the thousands (!!) of training miles that carried me across those three finish lines.
Safety Pin and Heart
This design wasn’t even on my radar until I saw it on Kim’s flash sheet. I fell in love instantly. It captures so much in one tiny piece of art. Love—my husband’s, my kids’, and the love I’ve poured back into them and myself—held me together after losing my mom. This little symbol says all of that without a single word.
Perspective
I chose this one because it was the only word on the sheet, all caps with a few letters flipped. It felt layered and honest. Becoming a parent changed how I see everything. Running changed how I see myself and my health. “Perspective” felt like the perfect reminder.
If you’re in New Jersey and thinking about getting a tattoo, I can’t recommend Kim enough. She was wonderful to work with and is conveniently located in Watchung at Botero Tattoo Studios. If you visit, tell her I said hello!
And because I love that each of my previous tattoos came from different artists and studios, here’s a little shoutout to them:
Dave Wallin – 8 of Swords
Brad – New York Adorned (closed)
Grin Stylez – Fort Apache Studios
Leave a Reply