My Boyfriend and I Got Matching Tattoos

Getting matching tattoos with someone is a risky business. Whether it's a family member, a friend, or a significant other, there's always a chance that you and that person could sever ties, leaving you both with a permanent mark that reminds you of happier days.

I suppose that's why when so many people are against getting matching tattoos with their spouse. What if they cheat? What if you fall out of love? What if you just end up hating it? All fair points.

But I can honestly say that none of those thoughts went through my mind when my partner Mark and I decided to get matching tattoos. None of it. Though I can't imagine that all of our family and friends would be impressed with the idea, so that's why we didn't bother telling anyone that we did it, and still haven't. Until now I suppose.

We made it a point that if we were to get matching tattoos there would be no lovey-dovey stuff, no names, no dates, and no cheesy couple drawings. You know, the ones where you get half and they get the other half and when you hold them together they make one picture? No thanks.

So what was there left to choose?

It was pretty easy really...

Mark and I are all about adventure and trying new things. In the almost three years we've been together he has helped me come out of my shell and actually do the things I want to do, rather than just sitting at home dreaming about them.

Together we have gathered hours of travel time, swam with sharks, adopted a cat, pet cheetahs, and seen Jimmy Carr perform live. I've introduced him to hunting and fishing, while he's introduced me to driving a manual, fixing cars, and gaming.

We decided that as well as collecting small mementoes from the big moments in our lives we'd also remember them as art on our skin, getting tattoos of our adventures in the order we conquered them.

So it was a no-brainer that our first tattoo together would be a shark tooth! We swam with these amazing creatures for my birthday a few years ago— check out my stories; I write all about these close up encounters!—and it's been my favourite adventure so far.

So our "matching tattoo" isn't cutesy, all about dates or times, or proclaiming our love for one another to the world, but I like it that way. To the world, it just looks like a shark tooth tattoo, but to me, it reminds me of one of the best days of my life that I got to spend with someone I love.

So yes, my boyfriend and I got matching tattoos at the age of 21 and 22, after being together 2 1/2 years. Yes, there will be more to come. Some people might think it's stupid, or that we're stupid, but so far no one really seems bothered. And I'm glad. I expected more negative backlash, but I think we have a lot of great people in our lives with open minds and the understanding that if it's not their body, it's not their business. Get you some people like that. They're great.

If you're reading this and thinking it's a great idea, just remember choosing a tattoo is a permanent choice; choose something you like, that you will ALWAYS like, and that doesn't directly relate to another person unless you know for sure that you're going to enjoy having them in your life forever.

Personally, I could tattoo Mark's name on my forehead, but I don't recommend it for everyone.