Christmas Newsletter

december, 2019

A little love story of my own…

Dan and I are looking forward to our first Christmas together as a married couple and think it’s time that we started some family traditions of our own, including a Christmas newsletter. It’s hard to believe that we were packing our bags this time last year - wrapping up our incredible OE and moving back to New Zealand. This year has flown by!

2019 Highlights

Wedding & Honeymoon

Our wedding on the 16th February was everything we dreamed of and the perfect reflection of our relationship. Many months of hard work went into planning our special day and we can’t thank our family and friends enough for their support before, during and after the wedding. This is the beautiful slideshow of images that our photographer, Isaac, created for us. Our day is also featured on the Bride and Groom website and the Perspectives Photo + Cinema website if you are interested in more details. I wish that we could relive every magical moment over and over again… the best day ever!

Dan & Vic’s Wedding - Whangapoua. Photography by Isaac de Reus, Perspectives Photo + Cinema.

“I, Daniel Thomas, take you, Victoria Lawrence, to be my wife, my partner in life and my soulmate. You are the kindest, strongest and most determined person I know. I will trust you and respect you. I will love you faithfully and unconditionally through the best and the worst, the difficult and the easy, for today and forever. I promise to still keep taking photos of you on our travels, but not when you are sleeping in the car or peeing on the side of the road. Whatever may come, I promise I will always be there for you, talking in our unique language and communicating in bird noises…”

“Dan, you are my best friend and the love of my life. I love your passion for sport, airplanes, chinese buffets, science and Sonny Bill... your secret languages, the way you make me laugh and how my day is always better when I can share it with you. I love your patience, hard-working nature, and ability to forgive (especially when I am hungry or tired). You are always here for me, supporting me through challenges and encouraging me to follow my dreams…”

We spent our honeymoon in Bali, one of our favourite destinations to visit. This time, we travelled to Amed, Ubud and Sanur. Highlights included diving the Liberty Shipwreck and doing our first night dive together, exploring on our scooter and snorkelling with Manta Rays. It was lovely to be surrounded by beautiful, friendly people and to escape the NZ winter for a few weeks of July.

Life

Before moving overseas, Dan and I bought a two bedroom unit in Christchurch. Since we got back to NZ, we have been chipping away at renovations. The Smart Vent system that we had installed made a massive difference to the moisture levels and it was so much warmer during winter. We’ve just started putting up new curtains and blinds (what a mission!). Outside, we (mostly Dan, let’s be honest...) have extended the concrete patio, had the roof painted, new spouting installed and are currently sanding and painting the exterior of the house. Dan has worked hard in the garden, building a beautiful planter box and putting edging around the garden beds. In the new year, we will be getting a new kitchen - woohoo! Can’t wait.

In the winter, Dan enjoyed playing rugby for the Christchurch Football Club and is now playing touch with some of his teammates. I swim and go to yoga a few times a week (would LOVE to meet you at Heart and Mind Yoga if you want to join!), carving out space for myself to focus on self-care. We like to get out and about, in the garden or exploring some of the walking tracks around Christchurch. We’ve travelled around New Zealand a fair bit, with short stints in Auckland, The Mount, Whangapoua, Taumarunui, Havelock North, Wellington, Nelson, and Wanaka - great opportunities to catch up with family and friends dotted around the country.

I have just started a Diploma through the Photography Institute. There are twelve modules to complete over the next year and I am looking forward to learning more about the technical side of photography.

Health

Those who know us closely will be aware that I have struggled with my gut health for close to three years now, after becoming sick in Cambodia at the beginning of our OE. I have had a few hospital stays, many tests and finally found out that I picked up a gut parasite. This has been treated in a number of ways and unfortunately, is still sticking around - prompting some concern that there may be other issues at play. The next step is to start a low FODMAP diet to try and identify food intolerances that may be exacerbating symptoms, before seeing the gastroenterologist again. It has been a long, and often very challenging, journey. I am grateful for the support of my husband who has listened to my fears, brought me hot water bottles and pain killers in times of discomfort, and understood when I am feeling low (both physically and mentally, because this is draaaaining!). If anyone has been in a similar situation, I’d love to hear from you!

Work

In January, Dan started his new job as Project Manager for Division Architectural Engineering & Joining Ltd. It’s very busy and he loves the diversity that his role brings.

After nearly six years of teaching full-time, I decided it was time for a new adventure. I moved to part-time teaching and am enjoying my position in a Year 5/6 classroom at Bromley School two days a week. There is a culture of support and wellbeing, and I feel lucky to be part of such a positive team.

In June, I became qualified as a marriage and civil union celebrant, and launched my business ‘Victoria Thomas’ in July. You can follow my journey on Facebook and Instagram. I recently officiated my first wedding and am looking forward to a busy season in the new year with over ten ceremonies booked in! I LOVE people and their stories - this change has been so exciting and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.

Future Adventures

After Christmas, Dan is heading to Melbourne with the Thomas’ for the cricket and I am off to Vietnam with the Lawrence’s to celebrate Mum’s 60th. Any travel recommendations, please flick them our way!

We hope that all is well with you and your whānau, and would love to hear from you. We wish you a safe and happy Christmas!

Aroha nui,

Dan & Vic xxx