Koh Chang, Thailand: The 1-2 Punch

Here comes the part where everyone is like, I KNEW IT.

WE'RE ENGAGED :)
And here is the after picture YAY:




The funniest thing happened, when he popped the question, this little dog ran out of no where and virtually jumped into my lap. I think it could sense my emotion or something. The only thing is, we weren't sure if it was some kind of rogue lamb or just a "special" puppy. The picture explains it all:



Okay, here comes to the second half of the 1-2 punch. Breathe. It's okay. We got tattoos of each others' full names, across the center of our backs, surrounded by red love hearts. Just kidding! No names, but definitely tattoos! Our first and only ones, inked in traditional thai style with bamboo. We wanted to get them to commemorate our engagement, the trip, and an amazing future together. We got tattooed by the "One". Yes, Neo himself. Haha no but really he goes by "One". He has been tattooing for over 25 years and learned from his father who learned from his grandfather and so on. We later found out that his dad actually inked one of Angelina Jolie's tattoos in Bangkok (the tiger on her lower back). At first we were pretty skeptical but he has like these blurry personally snapped photos documenting the occasion. Crazy stuff. One also lived as a monk for 3 years and learned how to read and write in traditional ancient buddhist language. So we grabbed a couple bottles of Singha and plopped down on his living room floor. And, well, the pictures explain the rest...

One's student, Ton (very talented), inked my lotus flower and the outline of Erik's tattoo. I can't say that smile is entirely genuine. When he started and the pain registered, all I could say was "Oh, that sucks!"



Erik and One. Feels like getting rubbed down with rose pedals.


This is the random hedgehog living in One's bathroom. When he gets sleepy, he snoozes inside of his coconut hideout. So random.



Me and Ton.

Erik and One. This picture is so typical One. He always does this weird wink with the click of his tongue. Here is a typical conversation that One has when he meets potential customers: "You tell me wha' you like. You li' a thai styyyle? I write speshul message. Like..good luckk...something something. You tell me, I make for you. Free hand. Original thai styyle." When he was jabbing Erik's back with the bamboo needle, he kept repeating "relaaaax, have a beer, make a party, how's your body? Good? (wink) (tongue click)." And anytime he agrees with you on your vision for the design, he says "sound rike a pran" (sounds like a plan). Love this guy.




Anddd...here's the finished product! It's a lotus flower. Becase the lotus flower grows up from the bottom of a mucky pond and moves upward toward the light, it represents positivity, enlightenment, new beginnings, and good luck in pushing through difficult times. Below the lotus image are three lines of monk script - the first wishes good luck for marriage, the second for family and friends, and the third for health.



And here's Erik's (click the pic to blow it up and see the details). This is a traditional image that monks inscribe on men to wish them good luck and protection for the family. The two intertwining snakes represent the family (me and erik or Taylors/Haleys). The writing in the snakes mirrors the writing in my tattoo. The right snake wishes good luck for marriage and family. The left snake wishes good luck for friends and health. The 4 circles are the 4 corners that make up a protective house. And the 6 symbols on the outside are locks that keep the house secure. It took about 2 hours!




YESS!! Big news, we know. We couldn't be happier.
Thanks for all the loves and support
we love you guys!
Megan and Erik

Additional photos: Here are a couple pix of One with his students (they all tattooed each other)