93Q Tat-Tales Contest

Every tattoo has a story! Whether it’s one that you got spur of the moment when you were on vacation with your girlfriends, or it’s a depiction of a photo of your grandfather’s time in the military, all of these stories are amazing! And we want to hear them. Introducing . . .

Tat-Tales!

Every Monday, we’re going to feature an interview with one of our listeners along with a photo of their tattoo and the story behind it. AND just for joining us, you’ll receive an $80 gift certificate from Tymeless Tattoo in Baldwinsville to either add to your tattoo collection, or give it to someone else to start their own story!

Just fill out the entry form with some details about you and your tattoo and you may be the next winner!

From Tymeless Tattoos, and 93Q the #1 Hit Music Station!

Brittany writes: 

I have on my left forearm “Smile Baby, Cause I love you”. Because my mom always said it to me growing up. When I was sad, and it stuck with me and now I say it to my kids. My mom passed away from addiction in 2014. I got this tattoo on my forearm with her ashes in the ink, so she is always with me. It’s a reminder of the path I do not want to follow.

Michelle writes:

4 years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Two days after I found out I was sitting in my car at 6am in July, it was already hot and muggy and out of nowhere a dragonfly landed on my window and stared at me for 10 minutes before flying off. I knew then I was going to be ok. 4 years later and I’m still going strong!

Angela writes:
I’m a just a girl who loves her dog, her Jeep and the beach. I wanted an interesting way to incorporate them into 1 tattoo. This has now become my retirement goal – my dog, my Jeep and a beach. It’s my reminder that there’s always going to be something took forward to down the road.

Rhonda writes:
My husband and I were married 30 years ago on August 12^th of this year. We decided to get matching tattoos. He was in the military for 21 years and during this time from 1995-2015, we wrote hundreds of letters. At the end of each letter he would sign off HHKK and I would sign off KKHH. In 2025 we decided on a matching tattoo of the year we were married (1995) in Roman Numbers and the letters HHKK and KKHH.

Rachael writes:
I’ve been a daddy’s girl my whole life. My middle name is Lynn, after my dad. He would do anything for anyone, loved with all his heart and put his 3 daughters and wife above himself. This piece was done in memory of him after he passed in March 2020. The time is 10:19, his birthday, with the same hands as the grandfather clock he built. His last gift to us was scanning all the old film we had in the house, to make us a thumb drive of our family history. I had that added to my tattoo. It’s the most meaningful piece on my body.

Erica writes:
I have the same tattoo as Donnie Wahlberg. I am a huge NKOTB fan and it was perfect for my first tattoo. I had always wanted one and researched for years before I found the perfect one! I also wanted one because my mother wanted one and never got one before she passed in 2009. It’s a nice reminder that you only live once and if there’s something you want to do, GO FOR IT!

Leigh writes:
For as long as I can remember my dad and I were football rivals. I am a Cowboys fan and he was a Giants fan. When he passed away I want to get a memorial tattoo in honor of him. So I made the decision to get a tattoo of a Giants helmet with the word Dad underneath.

Krystal writes:
Down my right forearm, two bold roses bloom in black and gray, their tips brushed with the faintest red. A ribbon winds through them like a path, carrying the words: “Let your smile change the world, don’t let the world change your smile.”

Marnie writes: 
My mom passed away when I was 23 years old after a 3-year battle with cancer. When she passed, it was obviously the most devastating time in my life. Unknown to me; she had written her parents/my grandparents, her siblings/my aunts(uncles), and myself individual letters that were sealed in our own envelopes. She had told one of my aunts where all her important papers could be found when she passed, and the letters were put in there by my mom.
Although the entire letter is very personal to me the line that sticks out to me the most was the very last line; “And even after I am gone, I’m always gonna be with you, You can count on that. All My Love, Mom XO<3”.
Kyle was able to take my mom’s letter and perfectly put it on my left calf. I didn’t want anything fancy other than her simple handwriting as she wrote it to me. He did an amazing job copying her exact handwriting and now as I continue to walk through life without her, she will always be walking along with me through this tattoo. I will never be able to thank Kyle enough because even though this is such a small minimal tattoo, out of all my tattoos, this packs the most meaning.

Christopher writes:
On my honeymoon, my wife and I went to Maine. We got together after 37 years of being apart. I took her to her 1980 senior prom and then we lost touch before reuniting 37 years later. We went to a tattoo parlor where I asked the artist to write “My little dove”, which is what I call her, around a yin yang symbol. I am a student of the Dao. They amazed me with this idea and I went for it. It hurt a lot, but so worth it. It’s on my sternum.

Courtney writes:

 I got this tattoo right before I went to college and like everything I do, the design was strategic. It’s is one of my favorite Taylor Swift lyrics, “You are what you love”, in my Mom’s handwriting. The lyrics are the last line of her “Lover” album. The heart underneath is a replica of the heart I have a on signed Taylor Swift photo vinyl. Since starting college, I have changed with my new found boldness and confidence in things that I enjoy. It’s no secret how much I love Taylor Swift, which is one reason this tattoo was significant for my first. I got this tattoo right before I went to college and it was simple reminder of all that’s important to me. This being my family, my friends, and my cats alike. I can also add in my passions of music, leadership, and drive for change. Without these people and these passions, I wouldn’t be where I am now. So I’m grateful that I carry an important Taylor Swift written message with me now. Just quick glance at the tattoo, and I truly know that I am what I love.

Kevin writes:
This tattoo is to honor my parents. The center is Bubo from the original Clash of the Titans for my mother. She has given me a passion for nature and the owl is among her favorite birds. She is also helpful beyond measure swooping in whenever I need her. The door and background is the Twilight Zone for my father, he is an avid fan of the original series and Rod Serling. The tattoo is set as if Bubo is emerging from the Twilight Zone. The clock from the Twilight Zone intro is set to my birthday. The talented Sara from Tymeless Tattoo brought the piece to life.

Tara writes:
My husband and I are no longer together, however remain friends. A couple years ago while still married, we decided we both wanted a new tattoo. I knew that I wanted something to represent my two sons. After some thinking, I decided it was going to be something regarding their birthdays as I love celebrating them! I always remembered them as 2/1 (February, 1) and 12/11 (December, 11) and when you put those numbers together they become: 211211. I shared this with my husband and we thought it was very cool and wanted to get the same. I’m glad we have such a meaningful tattoo of our boys!

Sam writes:
My tattoo is of my family camp and pond in Western NY. It’s the place we all gather for many cookouts, fishing, hiking, and hunting. My wife and I got engaged on a hike there as well! My grandfather built it and we maintain it in his memory. There’s a hidden eagle in the tree above the camp symbolizing him looking over us all.

Tina writes:
My “be kind” tattoo is simple, but it carries deep meaning. It’s more than just words – it’s a daily reminder of the kind of person I strive to be in a world that doesn’t always make it easy. I got this tattoo because I believe kindness has the power to change someone’s entire day or even their life.
We never really know what others are going through. A small act of compassion, a gentle word, or just showing up with a kind heart can ripple farther than we realize. This tattoo reminds me that no matter what’s happening around me, I have control over how I treat people and I choose kindness, every time. It’s a personal promise, inked on my skin and etched into my values. And I hope that when others see it, they’re reminded to do the same.

Makayla writes:
My tattoo is of a letter my late Aunt wrote to my mother and I. She passed of Leukemia and used to make and write letters to her loved ones and those who were sick. Even those who she didn’t know but heard stories of their hard times or losses, she hand made card and letters to send to them. She always ended her cards with X’s and O’s sending hugs and kisses to everyone. This tattoo keeps her and her message alive to always keep others in your heart and be there for people in their hard times.

Eli writes:
This is a family tattoo as we all are Disney maniacs in my family! The D is reminiscent because our last name starts with D, so might as well have the Disney D for it! I have the 5 Disney heads for our family – mom and dad, and the 3 girls. Each one with their birth stone colors in the bow, and in the faces, the time they were born!

Shannon writes:

This tattoo is a tattoo that I got right after I got into a huge car accident with my sister. We were driving back from NYC and we just hit the Lafayette exit almost to Liverpool when it started down pouring. I lost control of the car after hydroplaning a couple of times and we ended up into the guardrail and we flipped over three times across the lane. We miraculously didn’t hit or get hit by anyone in the process. My car was totaled, but my sister and I walked away with just bruises and scratches thanks to the seat belts. It was the most terrifying 20 seconds of my life. When we went back to get my stuff out of my car, sitting on the seat was the picture of my Grandad who passed 10 years prior of the accident in 2013. I decided it was a sign of nothing will hold me down or hold me back from anything. The anchor represents the heavy strength of everyone before me and around me. The ribbon represents being grateful to still be here, just a little grace.

Jennifer writes: 

While my story may not be as heartfelt as most, it is still sentimental to me as it’s a turning point in my life. I was a mom to 6 amazing kids. Unfortunately, my then husband and I did not share the same beliefs and grew apart. Although we no longer got along, I was trying to make things work for my kids. One day he said if I ever got a tattoo, he would divorce me. The hotel I was working at was holding a tattoo expo and I was always up for a challenge. Mission accomplished! That was my first and only tattoo, he is now my ex-husband and I’ve rekindled with an amazing man from high school who supports me unconditionally. Now that my daughters are grown and have their own tattoos, I’d love to get something meaningful to us.

Noelle writes:
My husband and I discussed getting a couple’s tattoo. We were torn on what to get that would represent our relationship. After some time, we decided on something Star Wars. We have the Rebel Alliance sign split in half with Aurebesh symbols, the alphabet used in Star Wars. My tattoo (on top) says “I love you” and his (on the bottom) says “I know.” If you know Star Wars, you will recognize that dialogue. I am Princess Leia to his Han Solo.

Justin writes:
I worked in a school for many years with students with disabilities where I have probably learned more from them than I taught them. I wanted to get a tattoo to remember the lessons I learned – for example, a student telling me it’s a beautiful day when it would be rainy and gloomy out, to viewing all achievements as major and presuming competence in all. One student would always ask for someone to scratch his back to help with anxiety and stress but when he said it, it sounded like scooter bacon, and that saying stuck. When he didn’t want something or for someone to get away, he would say “you’re done” but the “you’re” was always so drawn out. Working with this student in particular showed me that this was my calling in life to work and support people with disabilities.

Elizabeth writes:
I first moved out of my family home in 2007 with my high school sweetheart. We move a couple hours away to have a fresh start. He had those country boy vibes and I was oblivious to his narcissistic ways. I came home to him and a girl alone in our apartment, but he swore he wasn’t cheating, that I was crazy. Long story short … He was cheating, and had many many times. I’ve always been a passive person, avoiding confrontation like the plague. After 4 years being together, 2 years of living together, the cheating, and his threats, I finally got the guts to leave him. My friends and now fiance and father of my children showed up at my door under the cover of darkness and moved me back home to Syracuse, but I still traveled back and forth for 2 weeks to ride out my 2 week notice and say goodbye to the amazing friends I made and protected me through the process of leaving him. I got this sugar glider tattoo as a way to say, “Sometimes you have to give things up in order to grow.” Not only did I have to re home sugar gliders I’d owned, but I gave up a life I had built, and slowly lost contact with those friends over the years. There have been other things as well, such as in peek COVID I was dealt a raw hand in company downsizing and had to give up my career to do something new. Now (16 years out of that awful relationship), I have my own business, 2 beautiful children, an amazing home, and a partner I can trust. The tattoo is a beautiful reminder in how much you can gain in giving something up.

Sydney writes:

I got a tattoo of my parent’s favorite song which was also played at their wedding. “California Stars” by Wilco. I wanted to get it because my family means such a great deal to me, and because my dad is where i learned to find my love for music. The tatt itself is an actual mountain in California, and each star is drawn by my mom, sister, and dad. the lyrics read “I’d like to rest my heavy head tonight on a bed of California Stars”

Hallie writes:
After studying abroad in France and getting a commemorative tattoo of the trip, I realized that the wine and the language barrier was more apparent in the tattoo than I previously thought. It was sad but I needed to get it covered. After years of laser removal, I covered it with my skeletal flamingo and some beautiful tropical plants. The flamingo and florals are both an homage to my Key West wedding and serves as a reminder that true social bonds last longer than life.

Karen writes:
My daughter and I got matching tattoos a few years ago. I was honored when she asked me if I would get a matching tattoo with her! As most people know, the teenage years can be a bit challenging. Twists and turns and ups and downs. So we got matching unalome lotus tattoos. The meaning is a personal journey toward overcoming obstacles and achieving inner peace. The unalome represents the twists and turns of life’s journey with the spiral signifying struggles and the straight line representing reaching peace. Now that she is an adult we have moved beyond those struggles and have not only a mother/daughter relationship but a friendship.

Rebecca writes:
My tattoo is for my best friend Nichole who tragically lost her life on July 9th, 2017. She was shot 13 times by her husband who also shot and killed a State Trooper. Nichole’s birthday is October 30th so the jack-o-lantern is representation of Halloween since it is both our favorite holiday. The purple on the inside of the jack o lanterns eyes and mouth are her favorite color and represent her beautiful spirit and how it still lives with us. The purple also represents how I survived domestic violence and promised her I wouldn’t be another statistic.

Ashley writes:
In college Cyndi and I were in the same friend group but not really friends. A ski trip changed that. A big group of us went on a ski trip and I was supposed to be helping my guy friend learn to ski but I wasn’t strong enough to help him get up when he fell. So, someone else took over and I ended up helping Cyndi learn to snowboard. We spent the whole day together and from that day on we were best friends. I couldn’t image my life without her. Almost 20 years later I take yearly trips to visit her and her 2 boys, who call me auntie. We talk constantly since she lives states away. We got matching mountain tattoos to always remember that ski trip and how much we love each other. Soul sisters for life.

Tara writes:
My Grandfather instilled my love of sports, Syracuse sports especially. He took me to basketball games when I was growing up. My first Crunch hockey game was with him. Nearly every Saturday evening was spent at Oswego Speedway. Our last game together was an SU football game before he passed away. My tattoo is my way of honoring him and all of the fun we had together through the years.

Edward writes:
A year ago my ex left me… I was an overweight alcoholic. I know the drinking was bad but I didn’t think it was bad enough for her to leave. I immediately changed my mindset in hopes to fix our relationship. My daily activities that I considered fun no longer gave me any satisfaction. I found my evenings I’d come home from work and just walk and walk and walk. Before I knew it, people started to recognize my change before I could. I became obsessed with how many steps I could get in a day. This gave me the encouragement to step on the scale and I had lost 40lbs since I started. This got my mind racing on how hard I can push myself so I purchased cross fit vests…these walks were grueling but I made it fun jamming out to music with my JBL Clip. Then I asked myself how I can make my experience more enjoyable. When I was a teenager, I LOVED to rollerblade. I was super nervous, but just took the jump. It was around 15 years or so since I last skated but drove myself to the Liverpool Parkway. It was not pretty at first, but it all came back to me like riding a bike! After this day you could not pull me away…10-15 miles every day. I was able to change my mindset of when is my next drink to when is my next workout. Let me tell you it has been a journey starting at nearly 320 and getting myself to 205 in nearly 8 months. Only recently did I start using the gym thanks to the snow… but now making gains is my new obsession. My favorite superhero has always been Spider-Man. He always keeps his head up high puts a smile on and helps out anyone he can even though has his own tough personal life. I am responsible for my own body and I will do what I can control. So here is to never turning back… and every day I have this reminder on my arm.

Samantha writes:
I have a tattoo on my arm that is of my daughter’s handwriting of her writing her name. It was from when she was around 2 1/2 years old. She and I can always look back on how proud she was of her handwriting.

Kasey writes:
Jim at Tymeless worked his marker magic bringing this piece to fruition! Having gone through a good deal of bullying, yo-yo dieting, and years of disordered eating, I reached a place in my healing journey, which tattoos have long been a part of, where I realized I became more in love with my body the more I decorated it. My tummy has been a no-go zone for looking, touching, showing for my ENTIRE life, but now I can’t wait to show off this artwork! Inspired by the lyrics of another Central New Yorker who’s dealt with food and body image issues, Ani DiFranco, and some of the foods that have made my belly very happy, Jim absolutely rocked the theme! This is in progress, and one more session might be enough for finishing touches!

Robert writes:
I lost my grandpa on November 30, 2024.  He was my best friend we did everything together! My tattoo is inspired by him. He was a hard-working man. He was 80 years old and still working. He worked his whole life as a barber. My tattoo is a barber pole and a straight razor and the barber pole signifies our heritage of the Italian flag. I miss him more than you can imagine. He’s more than my best friend. Now he’s my angel. This allows me to carry a piece of him with me forever!

Amy writes:
I’m a cat mom through and through. I wanted to start a sleeve with my fur babies (my first ever pets as an adult) center of attention. Alyssa from Grandline Tattoo in Baldwinsville did such an amazing job with their likeness!

Jessica writes:
I have two boys and they are my world. The oldest is 25 now and the youngest is 11. My oldest entered the Army in 2022 and it was hard, but I am so proud of him for going after his goals. He is stationed in Hawaii and is a mechanic for the Black Hawks. He is hoping to become a pilot. The youngest looks up to him for everything and it hit him hard when he left. So I decided to get the tattoo of the infinity sign with both my kid’s names and dog tags to represent them and to show they are always connected to one another.

Holly writes:

At 20 weeks pregnant, my husband and I learned that our daughter had a severe congenital heart defect and had very little chance of surviving the pregnancy. She defied the odds and was born on November 8, 2022. She was hospitalized for the first 2 months of her life with 6 complex heart defects that required 3 life saving surgeries and 3 other surgeries for minor repairs. She required multiple hospitalizations throughout her first few years of life. Something that has always been powerful for us as a family is knowing that her heart is so unique and she is a true heart warrior. I wanted to honor this by having her first heartbeat scan taken in the hospital and having it tattooed on my forearm. I want to look at it every day and at her, and show the world to appreciate every heart beat they have because it is such a precious thing to cherish. She is now 2 years old and is thriving beyond what doctors expected and continues to blow us away with her determination and bravery. And now, I will forever have her heart beat with me!

Jessica writes:

I went into my appointment wanting a small butterfly on my wrist but realized that space wasn’t big enough for the details I was looking for. My 13 year old daughter searched and found a beautiful blue butterfly with grey flowers. To me it means new beginnings as I recently had a major life change. Like most that get tattoos I wanted more! Each thing represents something very important to me. The pink and reddish orange flowers are my children’s birth month flowers. The birds are my grandfather’s favorite birds, the chickadees. On one of the leaves there are two ladybugs – each having four dots for each of my nieces and nephews. I also have a tattoo of a lioness that represents my mom. She is a beautiful quiet fierce protector of our family. She would do anything to protect her four daughters and husband.

Amanda writes:

In 2020 my family and I found out that my deceased uncle had a long lost daughter he never knew about! Amy had been searching for her birth parents and a relative of my mom had been researching our family on ancestry. They became connected! Long story short we saw her photo on Facebook and there was NO denying that she was my uncle’s daughter! She was definitely part of our family.
Upon chatting we found that we had a lot in common and felt a bond immediately. Then we met…we went from not knowing eachother to becoming cousins/best friends from the start. Bonus! She lives in Rochester! Every time we saw each other, it was like we had known each other our whole lives. We nicknamed ourselves “sister-cousins” and decided we would get a tattoo to represent that bond! Summer 2023 we hung out in Rochester for the weekend, seeing Chris Stapleton at CMAC and the following day we got matching tattoos on the back of our necks, representing the love of our Irish heritage and our newfound friendship/family tie. Our Celtic Sisterhood tattoo…

Emily writes:

For any anniversary, birthday, other card-exchanging holiday, my grandparents would write “1-2-3” and “3-1-2” to each other on the envelope/card, meaning “I love you” and “You I love.” We had a bit of a scare with their health during COVID, and I decided to get these tattoos in their handwriting so I always have them there with me saying “I love you.”

Joshua writes:

My mom loved pandas so when she passed in 1999 I got a panda tattoo….in 2021 I decided to get it covered up with a bigger more colorful one.

Kari writes:
I have a dragonfly and sunflower flower tattoo – my 1^st and 2nd. My boyfriend and I were supposed to get tattoos together, with my first one being a sunflower. But life kept happening, preventing us from doing so. He tragically passed away in July 2024 and immediately after, I kept seeing dragonflies everywhere- in cards from friends, in my yard, and when I was mowing his lawn, one would follow me ( until I accidentally bumped into his fruit tree lol). His death has made me realize to stop procrastinating and start living, so in September, I got the dragonfly and had the sunflower added 2 weeks later. I’m obsessed with them and they’re such a great reminder of him and the significance of what they both mean to me now.

Tess writes:
I got my tattoo in 2013 at Adrenaline in San Antonio, while I was at Fort Sam Houston for medic training. My dad got his before I could ever remember. I hardly remember a time before my dad, but he’s not my “biological father”. But I know I wouldn’t have turned out okay without him. He took in a pretty broken family, stood by us while we finally got my “biological father” in jail. He divorced my mother when I was sixteen, but he never stopped being my dad. And now, he’s the only parent I have left. He walked me down the aisle at my wedding, where this photo was taken. And he’s never once made me feel like less than his own daughter. My replica of his tattoo is just a small tribute to the man who defined what it means to step up as a father.

Heather writes:
I wanted a tribute to my Dad. His nickname was Hooter. I went to Tymeless Tattoo and Jim Sidelinger designed the perfect tattoo, an owl with my Dads initials, DAH, hidden in the tree at the bottom. My husband and I also got matching wrist tattoos to commemorate our wedding in Jamaica, Jim at Tymeless also did those for us.

Dave writes:
This was done by Jim at Tymeless, as well. It’s a full upper arm/shoulder tat representing my love of biking.

Erin writes:
Fun fact: after a flamingo gives birth, she temporarily loses her pink color due to stress and demands of motherhood. However, as they raise and nurture their offspring, they gradually regain their vibrant pink.
As a mom of 5 boys (11, 9, 5, 2, 9 months) I am in throws of motherhood but will eventually get my pink back as they grow!

When I was young, my father owned a boat called THE BULLFROG and we had a camp up on the St. Lawrence River on Maple Island. My mother had gotten my dad a jacket that said CAPTAIN, and her one that said FIRST MATE. When I was about 4, she found a cute little bullfrog patch (with a bow tie) and put it on a pair of shorts that I called my “boat shorts”. I wore them until they didn’t fit. When my sister had her first daughter, my mother passed those shorts along to her- then when I had my daughter, my sister passed them back to me. It meant so much. My dad passed away in 2019. In cleaning my daughter’s room, the shorts showed up and flooded me with memories and emotions. My tattoo is of the frog from patch from my shorts- and he is sitting on a Maple leaf to represent our camp- and my dad’s favorite place (also where we scattered his ashes).