Section 18 Tattoo
s - Paul HanfordI can't believe it's under 2 weeks until the big day! I'm alternating between anxiety, delirium, depression, hyperactivity, fits of nervous laughter and utter exhaustion. I'm incredibly excited and happy to be marrying my best friend and soul mate, but part of me does feel a bit overwhelmed and ...claustrophobic. It doesn't help that I am actually, acutely claustrophobic I suppose! I think it's just that, up until now, I could in theory just walk away. But I couldn't really. We've got children together, and a home, and pets, I would't want to be anywhere else anyway.
I remember , when we first got together - under dubious circumstances- I had a sudden feeling of panic and changed my mind. Poor Wayne was kicked out of my house, and , having no-where else to go, he ended up sleeping in a local park. It wasn't a lush green place like Collett Park. It was smack bang in the centre of Britain's second City, Birmingham. I was kind enough to lend Wayne my 2 man dome tent, but at 6ft 8, this meant he still had most of his legs exposed to crack addicts, marauding youth gangs and stray rabid dogs. I only left him out there for one night, and quickly realised that a) I missed him b) it hadn't been very nice of me to make him sleep rough and c) I was actually in love with him, and I'd acted like a complete idiot!
This time, I'll take a deep breath - and although the register office in the new council chambers is a bit clinical and oppressing. I shall ask the lady to kindly keep the door wedged open just enough, so if I feel like, I want to run out screaming I can. Then take a deep breath, hold Wayne's hand- and say " I do !".
My nerves were put to the test last Sunday actually, when we went to receive our amazing Wedding gift, from friend and amazingly talented...and very tall, Paul Hanford from Section 18 tattoos.
When Wayne and I lived in Lapland, I'd designed a 'howling husky' logo, for our dog sledding business. It turns out, that the clean black lines translate perfectly into a tattoo, and so we decided to have that image for our matching Wedding tattoos. My last tattoo was over 8 years ago, and it hurt like buggery! Back of the neck, tends to hurt more - and this time I chose my calf - but still, I was nervous as hell as we walked up the High Street to Paul's newly revamped studio.
I remember , when we first got together - under dubious circumstances- I had a sudden feeling of panic and changed my mind. Poor Wayne was kicked out of my house, and , having no-where else to go, he ended up sleeping in a local park. It wasn't a lush green place like Collett Park. It was smack bang in the centre of Britain's second City, Birmingham. I was kind enough to lend Wayne my 2 man dome tent, but at 6ft 8, this meant he still had most of his legs exposed to crack addicts, marauding youth gangs and stray rabid dogs. I only left him out there for one night, and quickly realised that a) I missed him b) it hadn't been very nice of me to make him sleep rough and c) I was actually in love with him, and I'd acted like a complete idiot!
This time, I'll take a deep breath - and although the register office in the new council chambers is a bit clinical and oppressing. I shall ask the lady to kindly keep the door wedged open just enough, so if I feel like, I want to run out screaming I can. Then take a deep breath, hold Wayne's hand- and say " I do !".
My nerves were put to the test last Sunday actually, when we went to receive our amazing Wedding gift, from friend and amazingly talented...and very tall, Paul Hanford from Section 18 tattoos.
When Wayne and I lived in Lapland, I'd designed a 'howling husky' logo, for our dog sledding business. It turns out, that the clean black lines translate perfectly into a tattoo, and so we decided to have that image for our matching Wedding tattoos. My last tattoo was over 8 years ago, and it hurt like buggery! Back of the neck, tends to hurt more - and this time I chose my calf - but still, I was nervous as hell as we walked up the High Street to Paul's newly revamped studio.
Apart from the paracetamol, beta blockers and glass of wine I'd had, Paul's friendly, relaxed and professional manner put me at ease. But I still squeezed Wayne's hand tight as the outline was drawn. About 45 minutes later I was finished! And I could have cried at the result. It's like Paul says, some people choose designs which are aesthetically pleasing, and some people choose things which mean a lot to them. Well, this was both. Paul, you are a legend. I did hold Wayne's hand for all of 5 minutes, when It was his turn. I had to get the kids ok! And, anyway- he's a man. He feels no pain!!
Check out Paul's work here : Section 18 Tattoos
Check out Paul's work here : Section 18 Tattoos