It is difficult when people move away. It can be hard to accept change. We make friends and we expect the people around us to always be there. Life isn't that easy though. We're all on a journey in life and sometimes paths cross and sometimes they go in different directions. Yesterday, I attended a going away party for a friend of mine. I met Elaine through Instagram this past summer. Elaine and I shared the same passion of taking photos. We followed each other feeds. We went on photo walks together. We laughed together. We even had clam chowder bowls together. None of these things would have happened if it weren't for Instagram. Some photographers don't take instagram seriously, and even if you don't, you must admire the community and relationships it builds.
I will never forget the day I went to the SonyQX event in San Francisco. When I showed up I barely knew anyone and was basically wandering around by myself. At the time I didn't know Elaine that well. After she spotted me, Elaine and her friend, Adrienne, ran up to me and started chatting. After just minutes I knew I wasn't there by myself, but with friends. I'm sure most people who have met Elaine have a similar story. Elaine is the type of person that after meeting just once, you feel like you're best of friends.
Yesterday evening a group of people joined together, not to say goodbye to Elaine, but to cherish a friendship. We got together to snap photos, to share more laughs, to have another drink together. This phrase might be beat to death, but I'll say it anyways, I'm not going to say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting. Elaine, I will never forget you because you are unforgettable! You will always be a friend and I look forward to following you on your journey through Instagram. I'll see you when our paths cross again.
Elaine at her going away party. 12/14/13