Three years ago, I was turning 33. My girlfriend, whom I'd had for over a year, told me she had a great idea for my birthday present. I didn't think much about it until late one night when she called me up with a little groggy giggle. She told me she had gotten my birthday present and that she loved me. It was a little odd but nice to have someone thinking about my birthday at all.

The next day she showed me my present. On the right cheek of her behind, there lay a heart with the initial of my first name inside and an iron style border cascading outwards. That's right, she tattooed her booty as my birthday present.

It definitely goes down as one of the strangest and easily the most unique birthday gift I ever received, especially since she was only my girlfriend. She was going to have to live with that initial on her ass for the rest of her life. One of the first things I said was 'I hope I don't have to respond in kind.'

I have never had any piercings or tattoos applied to myself. I never accessorized much and never liked any symbol or picture enough to burn it on my skin. If I had gotten a tattoo at sixteen, it probably would have been a picture of Eddie, the mascot of Iron Maiden. It would have been cool for a while, but everything gets old to me eventually.

The odd thing about Maria is that she had never gotten a tattoo before my birthday present. I had dated women with tattoos before but no one who got branded when I was with them, especially not their first one.

Flash forward to the present day. That girlfriend is now my wife, and we have a two year old daughter. I guess that tattoo didn't backfire after all.

It also didn't surprise me too much when Maria told me she wanted another tattoo. She has friends with tattoos, and they do love to encourage each other. This time, it would be for her daughter. She had to save up her own money, but I couldn't tell her 'No.' I've always believed a woman has the right to choose when it comes to their bodies, and that includes tattoos.

Three weeks ago, Maria got her second tattoo. This time, it was in a much more visible place: the right side of her upper back. It has red and black designs intertwining with bumblebee at the top. The bee represents our daughter. It actually looks pretty cool. A lot tattoos I see completely cover the skin with ink, but Maria's tat doesn't smother the entire area. It looks good.

What does this story mean? A few things actually. First, you should let people do what they want with their bodies. Everyone is unique, and no moral or political stance should sway a person's wishes. Anyone who is swayed by religions and rhetoric deserves to be a sheep. Second, just because my wife has tattoos doesn't mean I have to get one. I have enough moles and scars to mark up my body, and they will continue to present themselves as long as I live. Last, I doubt this will be my wife's last tattoo.

Profound? Not really, but personal expression is what it is. People dye and cut their hair, work out, have plastic surgery, get pedicures and manicures, wear make up, shave or have facial hair, and spend hours and hours trying to make themselves look a certain way.

We all think we are unique and important, and most of us spend our entire lives trying to prove it. I bet you do, too.

Chris Jungle blends into the crowd.