It was about a year and a half ago that I finally got my belly button pierced. At this stage, there was only one person in my year at school with it done, and I had been admiring it for around a year. I first asked if I could have it done in February, but the answer from my Dad was a firm NO! I begged and pleaded for about six months before I even got so much as an 'I'll think about if you just leave me alone!"
At A Glance Author Nats Contact Nats@bme.anon When A year ago Artist dunno Studio Hole Location Coleraine, Northern Ireland This was progress!! I should probably mention that my Mum had no problems with my piercing-during every begging session she would simply answer, "Ask you father." So he was the only thing stopping me from having a cute little barbell in my stomach.
My Dad works away from home, and it was sheer coincidence that I sent him another of my pleading text messages jus as he was sitting at a bar. He got talking to a barwoman about it, and I am forever in her debt as she (amazingly) managed to persuade my incredibly stubborn Dad that it would be perfectly fine as long as I looked after it.
About a week later Dad came home from work and I launched myself at him with comments about piercing my navel. I didn't realise then that he had already agreed to it. We all went on a shopping trip into Coleraine, I went with my friends and my Mum and Dad went together. I spent the whole day wandering in and out of Solstice, admiring the body jewellery longingly. It was really lucky that I didn't bump into my parents as they were in Hole piercing studio just across the street. (Dad was checkin the place out).
When we got home I was still begging away, and then Dad asked a weird question- "Do you like pain?" I had a feeling as to where the conversation was going so I agreed that I did and he made me close my eyes. When I opened them there was a tiny silver barbell with a sapphire blue gem at the bottom. I almost fainted with excitement! Remember, I was only just 14!
They agreed to take me to get it done that week, but I was insisting on the next day, a Monday, as I just couldn't wait any longer. The trip over to Coleraine only takes about 20 minutes but it was the longest 20 mins of my life! When we got there nerves really started to kick in- I was terrified. There was no way I was gonna admit it though!
Hole is a really tiny little studio with a thin flight of stairs leading up to it. For some reason this made me more nervous! We got there anyway and the piercer asked me what I was after, and I told him it was my belly button-my big day! There were too guys there, apparently they were attempting to pierce the full length of their eyebrows with one bar. Interesting! As my piercer went to get set up the other guy (I'm not good with names) assured me that it wasn't painful at all.
I made my way into the back room with my Dad where I was instructed to stand in front of the mirror and the marks where made on my belly. I was happy enough with them so I lay down flat on a reclined chair and waited for the pain! I should say that everything was really clean, and everything was opened in front of me.
I saw the needle approaching my flesh out of the corner of my eye, and I gripped my Dad's hand in anticipation. I was still waiting a minute later until I heard the guy say "OK that's you all done." I was so shocked! I hadn't felt a thing, and there was no bleeding or anything.
I stood up carefully and peered in the mirror at my beautiful little belly, now adorned with a titanium 10mm barbell with a clear gem. It was amazing. I fell in love!
I went out to the desk to pay my £35, before thanking my piercer. He explained all the aftercare procedures and gave me a little sheet with them on, along with the phone number in case I had any questions. He also made me promise to come back in 3months time so that he could change the jewellery.
It was then that I rushed down the stairs to proudly show my mum, who had been waiting at the bottom. (The idea of seeing a needle poked through her only daughters stomach didn't really appeal to her all that much). Even she agreed that it looked awesome. The aftercare was pretty simple, I cleaned it with Savlon regularly, and with salt water at night and it healed beautifully. I went back to Hole after the 3months and had my bar changed.
Its now almost 2 years later and I still love my belly button sooo much. It looks and feels really strange when I take the bar out to change it. The only problem is, I now feel the time is right for some more mild body modification. Recently I have been taken with the idea of a tongue piercing and am currently trying to talk my Dad round. It's going well!
Ultimately I really want my lip pierced but my school are pretty strict so that's out for now. I've also decided since I found BME that I really want a surface piercing on my cleavage and a wrist piercing when I get a bit older. I'm also determined to get a little tattoo on the inside of my wrist so I think it would look pretty damned cool with the piercing on top.
But to everyone, I would definitely recommend navel piercing...its so easy! And without a doubt, Hole to anyone in the Coleraine area!