I especially want to hear from latecomers to UU: what was the moment you realized UU wasn't just something you do on Sunday, but had become an integral part of your life, your relationship/marriage, your family?

I think it hit me when I quoted a hymn to comfort my partner. She was feeling guilty about a struggle we'd had the night before. I had already forgiven her, but she was having trouble letting go. So I quoted #637, A Litany of Atonement: "We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love."

It clicked for her, and I realized I was using words of comfort in much the same way I saw other religious traditions doing.

I've finally made up my mind. My first tattoo is going to be the number 637, and a chalice, all tattooed on my wrist^1. For those not in the know, #637 is the Litany of Atonement in the Gray Hymnal, aka Singing the Living Tradition. (Does anybody ever actually call it that??) The refrain is "We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love." The Litany of Atonement is slowly finding its way into the foundation of my relationship as recurring words of comfort.

What I am getting hung up on is Part 2, the chalice. There are a dozen different designs, and I'm finding it hard to choose! So, TatUUed² folks, my question is this. How did you decide on the particular design of your chalice tattoo? What was the significance of that shape?

I could go with the two circles, but that's not what my home church's chalice looks like. Do I lean into our "ringless" chalice, do I not? Need to hear what other people have done!

¹ Astute UUs of good humor may note that I have planned for myself the equivalent of a bible verse wrist tat, and have my welcome permission to chuckle at the irony of a Pagan of all people doing such a thing.

² This joke is not mine, it is shamelessly stolen!