Tattoos can be so personal and, in this case, have a long story to go with them.
My dad was a sarcastic man. He could never give you a straight answer for anything. He often teased us relentlessly and wouldn’t let us get away with anything he felt was dumb. He wouldn’t even let us call out for him without a smart-ass response. When we would call out for him by yelling “Dad!” he would answer back with “I’m glad!” Oh how we longed for a normal dad that would just say, “What?” Over the years we just got used to it and eventually it became a fun way to address envelopes on Father’s Day. “To: Dad I’m Glad. From: Cassina.”
Right before he got sick my dad and mom on a whim went out and got tattoos. My mother got her zodiac sign on her foot while my dad got a rather large vintage-looking heart on his upper arm. Instead of saying the standard “Mom” my dad had “Dad I’m Glad” in bold letters permanently tattooed on his arm. He thought it was hilarious; we thought he had lost his mind, little did we know.
Not long after my dad died, I went out and had “Im glad” tattooed on my arm. It was my acknowledgment of the fact that my dad loved us so much that he was willing to tattoo something so silly on his arm. So I did the same.
In December 2024 a tattoo artist came to Patagonia, and opened a new business. Run by Cassandra Cruz, a 30-year-old mother of three, Trippy Pains Tattoo is tucked in a small suite in the Plaza de Patagonia on McKeown Avenue next door to the Quail Covey. In early July, accompanied by my “mature” tattoo-skeptic friend, I went into Trippy Pains for a new tattoo. I decided it was time to add to my “Im glad” tattoo on my arm.
Cassandra was not only kind enough to allow my friend to observe but she also allowed my friend to interrupt her working so she could document the process with her phone. Since this wasn’t my first tattoo, I knew what to expect but was glad to see Cassandra’s clean, modern workspace as well as her use of technology when it came to the design of my tattoo addition.
My friend and I enjoyed our candid conversation with Cassandra when it came to the weirdest places on the body she’s (almost) ever tattooed—a male-only body part. The recipient fled after learning just what had to be done to make that happen. She also told us about the silliest thing she’s ever tattooed—a rubber ducky on the butt cheek of a very large man.
In her time apprenticing at shops in Sierra Vista there has been no shortage of strange stories. This is par for the course in the tattoo industry.
During my hour-long tattoo session my friend made sure to ask several times if it hurt. Not as bad as you would think. Cassandra was gentle in comparison to other tattoos I have received. Honestly, it wasn’t bad at all, but yes, all tattoos hurt to some degree. At the end of my session, I got the after-care instructions and thanked Cassandra for the experience.
Since December Cassandra has enjoyed a pretty good flow of customers and even has a following from Sierra Vista making the trip to Patagonia.
Some might argue that having a tattoo shop in Patagonia is just another sign that our little town is changing. I would say yes, but in the direction so desperately needed. My mature tattoo-skeptic friend and I would agree that it’s nice to have young people starting businesses here in our community.
If you are wondering what I added to my “Im glad” tattoo, Cassandra drew the most beautiful forget-me-not in shades of lavender and yellow in remembrance of my daddy who loved us so much he put a permanent heart on his arm.
If you feel inspired, go see Cassandra at Trippy Pains Tattoo at Plaza de Patagonia, 277 McKeown Ave Suite 1 in Patagonia. You can make an appointment by calling (833) 239-6760. Tell her Cassina and Jill sent you.
Cassina Farley can be contacted at cassinaandzachfarley@msn.com