SNN_December_2023

SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 3
Recognising Those
in the Background
Peter Thornton
Editorial
A LIFETIME OF LAUGHTER AND HAPPINESS—Back to where it all began.
It’s been 10 years since Katie and I got
married and it feels like a lifetime ago.
I can still remember the day I proposed. We had a
weekend away at our bach in Pauanui and I had a
cunning plan, sure that she had no idea. Turns out, like
most women, Katie knew exactly what was going on and
just went along with it.
Earlier in the day, I stashed a bottle with a message in it,
amongst the rocks on the southern end of Pauanui Beach.
We went out for an afternoon walk and—just so
happened—came across the bottle.
Inside was two pages of photocopied versions of all of the
receipts, movie stubs, big trips, the receipt from buying
our first home, and everything in between, from our first
date to present day. I’m not much of a romantic but it
wasn’t a bad effort.
As Katie turned around, I was down on one knee, and
asked her to marry me. I promised her a lifetime of
laugher and happiness. She said yes and it was the best
decision I ever made.
We had a photo album from our wedding made in the
States, and it came back with ‘A lifetime of laugher and
happiness’ which wasn’t ideal but we got it for free. I
always smile at the title when we get out the album to
walk down memory lane.
—Peter Thornton
I’m not much of a romantic
but it wasn’t a bad effort.
I’d like to say that I’ve delivered 'a lifetime of laughter and
happiness' everyday since those rose-tinted days of
freedom and fun. I haven’t. But I have done my best and
most of the time, I’ve kept my promise.
Fast forward the clock 10 years and life is so different. We
now have three rowdy kids and there isn’t a dull moment.
Back then we could do whatever we wanted. Games of golf
with the lads, evenings out with mates, get aways for the
weekend, everything was just so easy. Then kids came
along. No one tells you how hard it is going to be.
Being a parent is both the most challenging and
rewarding role you will ever have. Charlie (7), Georgia (5)
and Toby (2) are awesome kids and I love seeing them
grow every day. You don’t fully appreciate the term of
being selfless until you have children. Everything
revolves around them and you continually put them
first to make life work. I never hesitate in putting my
family first.