UC Davis Health employees share their tattoo stories

Tattoos can be done on a whim, or they can take years of planning. They can have no meaning at all, or they can dive deep and tell a powerful story.

National Tell Your Tattoo Story Day provides a unique opportunity for these individuals to share their journeys, offering a glimpse into the diverse and deeply personal reasons people choose to get tattooed.

Here’s what those who shared said:

Dylan Gaston

“I chose to get this tattoo designed after reading The Book Thief, a novel that gave me a new perspective on death and what the reaper represents. In the story, death is not portrayed as cruel or malicious. Instead, death is the narrator – an observer who carries the weight of humanity’s endings with a strange mix of detachment and compassion. At one point, he reflects: ‘Even death has a heart.’

“That line struck me deeply. We often think of death as purely evil, something to fear and resist at all costs. But for me, this tattoo is a reminder that death is also part of life. The Grim Reaper isn’t the villain, but a guide who ushers us through a transition we all must face. My tattoo captures that balance: dark and somber, yet thoughtful and human at its core.

“Working in health care, I’ve seen firsthand how death is sometimes tragic, but other times peaceful – bringing relief after long suffering or closing a meaningful chapter. My tattoo honors that complexity. It helps me carry the understanding that while death is inevitable, it can also be a symbol of dignity, compassion, and even love.”

Brenda Santos

“My tattoo symbolizes a long, difficult journey of reclaiming my self-worth. I endured a painful and abusive relationship for 10 years – one that affected me in every possible way. Each sword in the design represents a stage of my healing process and the time it took to move past the pain I carried.

“At first, the wounds and struggles felt small and distant, but as I learned to let go and embrace my true value, those swords grew larger and more powerful. Now, I see this tattoo as a powerful reminder of my strength and a symbol that I will never return to that dark place again.

“This piece is more than just body art; it is a testament to my resilience, growth, and the hard-won journey toward loving myself.”

Nikki Fairbanks

“On my upper right arm, I have a pair of Japanese Koi fish surrounded by cherry blossoms. These represent my relationship with my husband. Pairs of Koi fish represent a harmonious and prosperous marriage. Cherry blossoms remind the wearer to value each moment and the beauty of renewal. Together, the design illustrates a journey of overcoming challenges with grace and embracing the present.

“On my right forearm, I have an anchored lighthouse that is representative of my mother. In addition to her love for lighthouses, this tattoo is a reminder that she will always keep me grounded (anchor) and pointed in the right direction (lighthouse). It also encompasses two Japanese roses that represent her as the large rose and me as the bud.

“My left arm is a full sleeve of Japanese Peonies and a Phoenix. This sleeve represents the struggle, the resilience, and the transformation that I have endured over the last 20 years. I had been obese for over 20 years and finally decided that I was tired of the pain, the embarrassment, and the self-sabotage. On April 22, 2024, I underwent Gastric Bypass surgery here at UC Davis Health. This was THE BEST decision I have ever made and because of this, my quality of life has significantly improved. I have transformed back into the athlete that I once was. I have a light that shines brighter than ever before. I gained not only my health back, but my life.”

Craig Salyer

“This tattoo represents a tribute to my wife, Amanda Vaughn-Salyer, who passed away in June of 2013. This was a sign that hung over her bed in the living room when she became too weak to walk up the stairs. This tattoo is my most important one of the many I have.”

Reena Patel

“I don’t attribute my life’s journey to luck, but rather to an accumulation of experiences, lessons, and self-reflection.  The lotus represents regrowth and rebirth, highlighting that something beautiful can arise from the depths of muddy waters.  It transcends a diversity of religious beliefs, remaining spiritual and illuminating a message that is relatable to all walks of life.  My tattoo reminds me that everything I’ve gone through has led to me be exactly where I am supposed to be and it keeps me rooted in the idea that every challenge and every hurdle leads to something amazing.”

Tammy Kenber

“I have two flower tattoos – one for each of my daughters.  I have a Larkspur for my first daughter, Mariah, and a Daisy for my second daughter, Sydney.  The flowers represent their birth months, and the darling girls represent a very large portion of real estate in my heart.”

Silvia Molina

“After 12 years of not seeing my stepfather (my pop), who had been in my life since I was 2, I reconnected with him during my early 30s in 2016, after he was diagnosed with vascular dementia at age 54. At that time, I worked at an organization that provided end-of-life care, which was quite fortuitous. I managed his care and drove an hour and a half every weekend to ensure he received proper attention at a skilled nursing facility.

“A year later, he passed away after a major seizure. I was devastated but grateful for the chance to be with him during his last year. I decided I wanted to get a tattoo to honor his life and our bond. While cleaning out old photos to include in his memorial, I found one of the flowers my pop drew when I was young. I wasn’t an artist, but he was a great one. This was the flower he had me practice sketching with charcoal. It struck me that this was the tattoo I wanted to get in his memory. About two months after he died, I attended a friend’s fundraiser for a local nonprofit and bid on a gift certificate at a tattoo parlor during a silent auction, winning it. The tattoo covers part of a scar from shoulder surgery and is a reminder of the love we shared for each other.”

Beth Santizo

“Until his passing in 2018, my dad began every card he gave me with a poem that started, ‘Roses are red, violets are blue.’ Some were corny, most were sweet affirmations of how much he loved me. I honored that tradition and his memory with my first tattoo: a rose and a violet on my right wrist.”

Nick Houser

"I am born and raised here in California, I love it, and I never want to leave. I told my artist that I love this area especially because you can drive two hours one way and get to a beach and two hours the other way and go hiking in the mountains. Hence, the waves at the bottom and the mountains at the top. The rose represents my wife - her middle name is Rose. The bear represents my son - 'boo bear' was part of his nickname as a baby. The sea turtle represents my daughter - we kept looking for signs for her and the universe just kept pointing to sea turtles. The waterfall down the middle is a reminder to 'go with the flow' of life."

These stories from UC Davis Health employees highlight the profound and personal meanings behind their tattoos. Each piece of ink is more than just a design; it is a testament to their experiences, values, and the people they hold dear. Whether as a symbol of resilience, a tribute to loved ones, or a reminder of life's lessons, these tattoos are a powerful expression of identity and personal history. Thank you to everyone who shared.