A mum has explained why she let her 15-year-old daughter get a tattoo.
US author and speaker Diana Register wrote about her daughter's decision, saying the fact the tattoo means something important to her makes all the difference.
She says that although she wasn't sure about it at first, she was eventually won over as her daughter Kaitlyn's choice of tattoo was a tribute to her dad, who tragically passed away from cancer when she was just 13.
Chad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and when he died, his family were completely devastated.
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To pay tribute, Chad's step-daughter and Kaitlyn's elder sister Savanna got a tattoo of Roman numerals 'I IV IX' - in honour of her Chad's police badge number - 149. Kaitlyn wanted to get the same tattoo, but she was only 15.
Writing for Kidspot, Diana said: "I started thinking about the meaning and it was so much deeper than just numbers.
"You see, after his valiant fight with his disease, his badge number has become synonymous with strength, courage and hope. That's what it means to me, and clearly what it means to my kids."
Kaitlyn insisted on staying by her dad's hospital bed until he took his last breath. Diana wrote: "In that moment, I knew she was her father's daughter."
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She said she wanted the tattoo and Diana couldn't say no.
She said: "As for me, the day before he died, I asked for a copy of his ECG.
"I have his real heartbeat tattooed on my foot so every time I look down I know he's with me. It's part of him that is still alive."
Diana added: "So yes, I let my 15-year-old get a tattoo and no, I don't care what anybody has to say about it, because they have shown me, you, and anybody else who will listen to what surviving looks like.
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"They get to show that off however they damn well want to.
"They've earned it."
Featured Image Credit: Diana Register