What can one say about a piercing that remained for years a private and personal thing that was known to no other human being? As a result of a very painful breakup nearly ten years ago with the woman I though I was going to marry, I chose to mark the pain of that event with a nipple piercing. (I later discovered that it was the relationship itself that was so painful not the actual breakup, but that is a much longer and much more detailed story than can be articulated here).
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist Self Studio Home Location Illinois In any event, body piercing was something that I knew little about and it was long before the days of ready internet access to do my research. I visited the nearest tattoo and piercing studio I could find to purchase a 14 guage circular barbell for my planned assault on my left nipple. My sister worked at a veterinary clinic at the time so I had ready access to the other sterile supplies that I would need to carry it out. I purchased a IV cathereter that looked to be the right size for the job at hand and I was set to do the deed.
I returned to my apartment and sequestered myself in the restroom with all of the necessary supplies. I knew nothing about clamping the nipple or anything of the sort, but did everything I could to maintain a sterile field for the procedure. Looking back, the only thing I didn't do right was clamp the nipple, but it worked perfectly and there as no problem at all with healing the piercing.
I wore the piercing secretly for about 3 years and then abandoned it due to my conservative career path and community. I honestly never really even thought about it again after that and pretty well decided that it was in my past.
Fast forward to my new life and new community. I had relocated and found a wonderful woman who I eventually married. We have a wonderful relationship that is marked my deep intimacy and sharing. One evening near the occasion of our 6 month anniversary we were sitting and talking about nothing in particular when the subject of body piercing came up. We chatted about it for a while and she asked me if I had ever considered a body piercing. I told her that I had more than considered it and that I had actually pierced my nipple before. She almost didn't believe me as nobody would think that a man like me who is so conservative both politically and theologically would ever consider such a thing. I assured her that it was in fact the truth and then proceeded to my dresser where I had kept some personally effects including my long forgotten nipple ring. I showed it to my wife and then with surprisingly little effort and with virtually no pain, I slipped the ring into the holes that I assumed had long ago grown closed.
In that moment, what had become a reminder of great pain to me, became a mystical celebration of freedom and great intimacy between myself and the only other person in the world who knows this side of my personality. It allowed me to put the past behind me in ways that I am only now discovering and allowed me to live fully in the present and in great anticipation of the future as well. Some may not understand this, but it is my hope that others will find encouragement to pursue the journey to become who they are truly meant to be.
Now, my wife and I both enjoy the presence of the ring whether it is in the bedroom or sitting in a movie theater when she quietly slips her hand over onto my chest and tweaks the ring or better yet under my shirt to flip the ring. What had previously been a very private thing known only to me has now become a private thing known only to the two of us. I have also discovered a new side of myself and a new side of my wife that allows me great freedom to enjoy my body in a different way. Since that night when the nipple was rediscovered, my wife has gotten her navel pierced and I have made plans to make my nipples match and add a tattoo to my chest to celebrate our newfound freedom.
I know there are those in our world and in our own little community that would not understand this discovery, but it is amazing the liberation that can be found in one simple body modification. I still retain my very conservative views in life in general but realize that one can be an open minded conservative and still enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer and the freedom that can result from that realization.
For anyone considering a nipple piercing, I would encourage them to go for it. You might be surprised at how liberating it can be and you might just discover things about yourself and those that you love in the process. A moment of pain traded for a lifetime of pleasure and freedom... what a gift that can be!