And cake on big day
to be a blessing in disguise.
“The weather kept us in, so my sister thought on her feet, and decided to keep it at home – we had some food, some champagne, and it was a real family moment,” he said.
“It was my first birthday home in four years – who would I want to spend it with but my family?”
Amid all the smiles of the happy day, Nick was reminded of what he’d missed out on during those four lost years in India.
He said his horrific experience has left him with a new perspective, and a desire to make the most of every moment with the people he loves.
Nick, from Ashington, Northumberland, said: “I’m 32 now, when I left I was 27 – it’s a big difference.
“I feel like now I’ve got to be a bit more mature in myself.
“I left as a young, 20-something guy, earning a good wage, I was a bit wild, as you would expect.
“That was all taken away from me – now I’m in my 30s, and I’ve got a different perspective. “That’s why my birthday was all about spending quality time with my loved ones.” And with the help of friends and relatives, he said he’s settling back into life at home. He said: “It’s just a few days shy of three months since I came home, but it feels like longer. “It took a while to get used to being home, and to some of the changes, but I’ve got such a supportive family who have eased me back in. “It’s really good to be home. “I know what the word freedom really means now.”