Dear Tell All: Reading Thin Skinned's diatribe against Madison women with tattoos ("I Hate Tattoos," 10/16/2014) brought back a very fond memory.
I met the woman who became my wife in a Bible study group at the church we were attending. When we were first dating we enjoyed a Saturday at Noah's Ark water park. While putting sunscreen on her I noticed where her bikini bottom had hiked up, revealing a small tattoo of a butterfly just below her right hip. For a number of reasons I would have never imagined this woman to have a tattoo, but it didn't bother me and I didn't say anything about it.
A few weeks later she told me that there was something about her that she thought I should know. Imagining something very serious, I sat down with her, then she sheepishly told me about "doing a dumb thing" when she was younger, which was that she had gotten a tattoo. I was very relieved to hear that was all it was, but then you should have seen the look on her face when I replied, "Yes, I know you do." She asked me how I knew, and I told her how I saw it at Noah's Ark.
She had considered having it removed, but I told her that was her choice and that I had no issues with it. After I described how unpleasant the removal procedure is, she apparently decided it wasn't worth it.
To me, that little tattoo is simply a part of who she is and a part of the woman whom I love very much. We've been together now for almost 20 years.
Butterfly Catcher
Dear Butterfly Catcher: With his hatred of tattooed women, Thin Skinned apparently doesn't realize that beauty is only skin deep. Indeed, skin is the only thing he can see. Hopefully your letter will teach him something about the true nature of love. Or, as it says right here on my upper arm: ♥.
Do you have a question about life or love in Madison? Write Tell All, 101 King St., Madison, WI 53703. Or email tellall@isthmus.com.
