Charles Silk and Eric Svendsen in New Zealand

Eric and Charles - Paihia, New Zealand

One of the things I encourage people to do is to take photos of people.  More than just people though, as people are everywhere. There are people you know, there is yourself, and then there is what is really important.  Relationships.
Relationships are what you make them, and if a relationship is important to you then you have to invest in it.  The thing to invest is time and energy.  It takes both to pursue and maintain a relationship.  It doesn't matter if the person is a friend, family member, or co-worker.  What's important is that you have to make an effort.
Charles is my oldest and closest friend.  We have traveled extensively together and played countless games.  We were in each other's wedding party and our kids address the other as Uncle.  It is that way because of the simple reason that we invest in the friendship.  Time and energy.
So this is where the photo comes in.  Here we are on our latest adventure, on a cruise to "The Hole in the Rock" from Paihia, New Zealand.   The photo is of more than just a picture of him and me, it is a photo of our relationship.  This is what makes the image important.  A shot of the ship or the Bay of Islands in itself would be nice, even of just him or me in that environment would be good, but it is the shot of us together that gives it special importance.  Not to everyone, but to us, this has special significance.
We spent a week in Paihia and enjoyed hiking, boating, shopping, movie watching, and card playing together.  It is a beautiful place with lots to do and breath taking scenery.  I have some great images from the area, worthy of a post card or enshrinement on a wall; but it is this one which means the most to me.  My buddy and I, on an adventure.