A father’s love knows no limits—and for Derek Prue Sr., that meant doing something truly extraordinary to help his son feel more comfortable in his own skin. When he noticed his son was self-conscious about a birthmark on his chest, Derek decided to take a powerful step to show his support. What followed was a moving act of love that left a lasting impact on them both.
Derek Jr., from Alberta, Canada, had always been shy about taking off his shirt in public, especially at the pool. His father noticed this and wanted to help. “I think he felt a bit insecure about it,” Derek Sr. said. “So I figured I’d get the same thing, so he wouldn’t feel alone.”
Without telling his son, Derek Sr. began visiting Juicy Quill Tattoo Studio to get a replica of his son’s birthmark tattooed on his own chest. What he thought would be a quick process turned into nine grueling sessions—about 30 hours in total. “That first session was four hours, and I wasn’t even sure how much we got done,” he said. Because the tattoo covered a sensitive area—his chest and ribs—he had to be numbed repeatedly to endure the pain.
Tattoo artist Tony Gibbert confirmed just how intense the experience was. “The chest and ribs are no joke—tons of nerves in that area. It’s a tough spot,” he said.
But the pain was worth it.
The big reveal came during a trip to the pool. As they got ready to swim, Derek Sr. took off his shirt and unveiled the tattoo, a near-exact match to his son’s birthmark. Derek Jr. was stunned—and thrilled. “He just smiled, then took off his own shirt,” his dad recalled. It was a small moment that made a huge difference.
People had asked Derek Jr. about his birthmark in the past, but now, he carried himself with new confidence. “I just tell them it’s this big brown mark I’ve had since I was a baby,” he said.
Later, the two visited the tattoo shop together so Tony could meet the boy and hear firsthand how his art had helped transform a young life. For Derek Sr., the tattoo isn’t just a symbol of solidarity—it’s a permanent reminder of the bond they share. “It’s something that’ll stay with us forever,” he said.
