Awesome tattoo! Not really my thing as far as design goes, but your friend is a good artist.
I got my first tat about 14 years ago and never regretted it. In fact, I am getting more. And the pain is an odd pain isn't it? Not like any other pain I have had. The pain is a rite of passage.
Be careful it is addictive, and MAKE SURE your mate changes needles routinely in FRONT OF YOU, so you can see him/her do it.
I look forward to the final product
Loup