Ink this

Dear Tess,

You are reading this because at some point you will probably ask about my tattoo and getting one for yourself. I'm writing this 3-4 days after getting my first skin modification. The skin is still irritated, puffy, red, and it's not pretty to look at yet. By the way I told your Gigi I was doing this and she was NOT THRILLED. So let's keep any tattoo talk to between you and me.

I knew what I wanted for about a year and was inspired and helped by multiple people including:

Laura, someone I barely know but she took piano lessons with your Uncle Dave.
No, Dave's not really your uncle but that's not important right now.

The people and volunteers of The Giving Kitchen and Team Hidi.

Your Aunt Meghan and Uncle Tony.
No, Meghan and Tony aren't really your aunt and uncle but that's not important right now.

And most importantly Ryan Hidinger. I never met Ryan and I've only spoken with his wife Jen once when she was forced to sit next to me during a holiday dinner at Muss and Turner's. Sorry about the awkwardness, Jen. I'm just one big social awkward turtle.

It's impossible for me to describe the journeys of Ryan, Jen, Team Hidi, The Giving Kitchen and Staplehouse but The Today Show did a nice job. It's three minutes and forty seconds not counting the 30 second ad. You have the time.

Then there is this beautiful 10 minute piece which goes into more detail.
"Dare All and Prevail" from Gregory Miller Pictures.

So last Friday I got the Team Hidi shield with the words "Dare All and Prevail," the Team Hidi motto tattooed on my left bicep. Two reasons. One, to help spread the word about The Giving Kitchen. Yes, I turned my arm into ad space. Don't care. It is a WONDERFUL organization taking care of restaurant and culinary workers going through medical hardships.

The second well that's tougher. While I've wanted this tattoo for a while nothing made it urgent.
Nothing pushed me forward until recently.

The last two months haven't been the easiest. I'm battling mild depression and anxiety brought on by a sudden resurgence of painful feelings I had bottled and shelved a long time ago. The words "Dare all and Prevail" inspire me to do better. It forces my chin up when I don't want to get out of bed or just want to rock in a dark room.  (Don't worry about me, I'm getting help. And if you should ever feel that something is wrong, there is no shame in seeking help. None. Zip. Zero. Zilch.) All of these feelings made the timing of altering my appearance make sense to me. I'm hopeful the mental healing will soon mimic the physical.

Tess, I don't care if you get a tattoo. I love you no matter what. So get one, don't get one. I just hope that if you decide to do something like this you'll find something as meaningful to you as I did. Either that or go full Mike Tyson; it'll be a great icebreaker at parties.

Above all, my beautiful daughter, Dare All and Prevail.