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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, April 27, 2004

ABOUT WOMEN
The sun also rises in hubby's surprise farewell to arm's tattoo

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By Tanya Bricking Leach
Advertiser Staff Writer

One of my sisters used to joke that she was going to name her next dog Sally.

That's the name tattooed on her husband's arm. (My sister's name is Tiffany.)

I thought it was funny, until I married a guy with the same mark of doom — his ex's name emblazoned right there where I could see it every time he took off his shirt.

He tried to convince me he had transferred its meaning to his goddaughter, who shares the same nickname. I didn't buy it. It was mostly an unspoken thing. It was like a scar I tried to ignore.

That was until his big cover-up.

Now I can't help but stare.

He came home from a trip with a splash of color where his branding used to be.

I was almost afraid to see what he had done on a secret excursion to a tattoo parlor. I was glad he didn't walk in the house and say, "Honey, I'm home. Look at my new tattoo!" He just waited for me to notice it.

My first reaction was: "It's gone!" Or, rather, SHE's gone. A sun and moon replaced the faded rose and name of his former love.

I have to admit I was happy to see evidence of his ex erased. And I was relieved he hadn't changed the name to mine, because of the whole jinx factor involved with that sort of display of devotion. It's the law of tattoos that names are not a good option.

My military man explained he didn't want to go off to Afghanistan with the old tattoo there. (He assured me it had nothing to do with the horrific image that popped into my head of having to identify his body by the nickname of another woman inked on his arm.)

There should be some kind of law that no one under 30 should be allowed to have anything etched on their bodies for eternity. But it's too late. About 30 million Americans, or one in six between the ages of 18 and 24, sport tattoos, according to a 2001 survey for American Demographics.

Of the branded, 15 percent are women, but they're more discreet about their choices. Dolphins, roses and butterflies are the most popular picks for women.

When my sister Tiff was about 17, and I was supposed to be "keeping an eye on her" while our parents were on vacation, she snuck out and went under the needle for a yin-yang tattoo as big as a black eye just above her ankle. I think her payback came in the form of "Sally."

As years go by, odds are a few million or so other people also reconsider the wisdom of their choices.

Luckily, there are ways to get rid of skin-deep mistakes.

My husband has learned that the hard way. And it's fine with me if he wants to wear his heart on his sleeve. Just keep my name out of it.

Tanya Bricking Leach writes about relationships. Reach her at 525-8026 or tbricking@honoluluadvertiser.com.