The 2016 Trend Made Me Reflect On My Past & Present

Like many others, I couldn’t resist joining the 2016 throwback trend.  It was all over social media, with everyone sharing photos and reminiscing about their lives from that year.  As I sifted through my photo albums, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about my life ten years ago. I reflected on the various experiences, milestones, achievements, and failures that had shaped me into the person I am today.  Looking back at the numerous wish lists I’d created in the past, I was delighted to see which ones had actually come true. It was surprising to discover that most of my wishes had materialized!

Photo courtesy of the author.

Reflecting on my 2016 selfies, I remember my intense effort to fill in my 90s brows, aiming for a more defined, boyish look.  It was like a 47-year-old trying to emulate Cara Delevingne’s brows.  I also noticed I was significantly heavier back then, with a curvier figure.  My makeup was on point, featuring darker eye makeup, matte lipstick, and highlighter.  While my outfit wasn’t trendy, it was classic and aligned with my personal style.  I’m not a trendsetter; my wardrobe consists of a staple capsule with lots of blacks, beige, whites, and browns. I’ve always preferred a tailored look.

Ten years ago, I was a 47-year-old single mom raising my only teenage son on my own.  I juggled being a full-time executive assistant to a finance company CEO, doing household chores, and being a parent.  On top of that, I was also researching and developing the framework for starting a Filipino restaurant in Downtown Vancouver.  It was a hectic professional life, and I barely had time for self-care, exercise, or downtime.  My focus was on work and fulfilling my responsibilities as a single mom.

Photo courtesy of the author.

To combat stress and exhaustion, I used to create a wish list with a timeline. This helped me relax and stay motivated at the same time. I’d write down my dreams, envisioning myself in five or ten years, my ideal lifestyle, and my son’s future.  Then, I’d brainstorm ways to turn these wishes into reality. In 2016, I wrote down these eleven specific wishes:

• I hope my son graduates from university with honours.
• I envision my son having a stable career and a fulfilling personal life.
• I dream of opening a successful Filipino restaurant.
• I imagine myself in a loving, healthy relationship with a kind, supportive partner who shares my life goals and values. He’s a successful entrepreneur and a committed man, and I see myself married to such a wonderful person.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

• I see myself transitioning from an employee to an entrepreneur.
• I aim to improve my health and well-being, striving for happiness and vitality in both body and mind.
• I promise to prioritize my family’s happiness and well-being.
• I visualize living with my future husband in a beautiful home on Vancouver’s west side.
• I want to surround myself with trustworthy people who uplift, inspire, and encourage my growth. This will lead to better mental well-being, increased confidence, and greater success, while avoiding negativity that holds me back.
• I vow to be grateful and blessed throughout the next decade for choosing a life I didn’t settle for.
•  Lastly, I also dream of pursuing my passion for writing.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

Fast-forward to January 2026, and it’s fascinating to see if my wishes have come true and what steps I took to make them happen.

In 2016, I hoped for my son to graduate from university with honours.  In 2022, I’m incredibly grateful and blessed to have witnessed my son graduate with Distinction from university. He worked incredibly hard to finish his degree while also working part-time on weekends.

Ten years ago, I envisioned my son achieving a stable career and a fulfilling personal life.  Thankfully, he’s thriving as a Software Engineer. He’s been with the same company for nearly four years now, since graduation. His personal life is indeed fulfilling. He’s casually dating women and not in a rush to commit.  He enjoys spending time with his lifelong friends, staying active through sports, and traveling.

In 2016, I dreamed of opening a successful Filipino restaurant.  I opened and managed our family’s Filipino restaurant in Downtown Vancouver in 2017. While it gained popularity within the Filipino community, the cost of rent and overhead expenses proved too much, and after two years, we had to close the restaurant. This experience was a significant learning curve for me, teaching me that while I didn’t succeed in this business, learning from failure is crucial for growth. I realized that setbacks are temporary, educational, and necessary for long-term success.  I gained valuable insights, such as viewing failure as feedback, using it as a stepping stone, and maintaining the courage to continue. I learned to see failure as an opportunity for intelligent re-engagement rather than a final defeat.

Photo courtesy of the author. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko and wife, Matte Laurel Zalko.

In 2016, I imagined myself in a loving, healthy relationship with a kind, supportive partner who shares my life goals and values. I see myself married to such a wonderful person. In 2018, a mutual friend introduced me to his best friend, Ron Zalko, Vancouver’s Fitness Guru. Our first date lasted an incredible seven hours! We had planned to meet for afternoon tea at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, but it quickly turned into happy hour at Cardero’s.  We bonded so much that our happy hour extended into a four-hour dinner at another restaurant, Lift Bar and Grille.  On our first date, we discovered a shared love for conversation, a quirky sense of humour, and a mutual circle in Vancouver.

During our second date, which Ron had already scheduled, we both decided to eliminate our dating profiles. We deleted our accounts on Tinder, Bumble, Match, Executive Search Dating, and EHarmony. Ron and I dated exclusively for four months in 2018 before officially moving in together in 2019.  In May 2022, he surprised me with a breakfast proposal at Tiffany’s! Just a few months later, in July 2022, we became Mr. and Mrs. Zalko, officially and legally, on a breathtaking mountaintop.

Photo courtesy of the author. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko and wife, Matte Laurel Zalko.

I’m incredibly grateful for waiting for Mr. Right. I chose Ron, the last man I wanted to end up with, because I genuinely fell in love with his kindness and the way he loves and treats me. Ron has a close relationship with my son and has become a wonderful father figure.  It was definitely a case of saving the best for last.  Perhaps the most important aspect of our relationship is Ron’s consistent pursuit of me. From the beginning, I knew he was different from the other men I dated because he made it clear he wanted a life with me through his actions.

In 2016, I aspired to transition from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur. In 2019, I decided to support my partner Ron in his successful 45-year-old fitness business. My husband and I have been working together, running and managing his company, ever since we moved in together.

My goal in 2016 was to improve my health and well-being, striving for happiness and vitality in both body and mind. Since then, I’ve focused on becoming healthier mentally and physically. For starters, I got rid of my breast implants in 2023. I’ve created balanced routines for nutrition, exercise, and sleep, while also managing stress and nurturing relationships. I treat these self-care activities as non-negotiable appointments in my schedule for long-term well-being and disease prevention. I’ve started with small, consistent steps like daily movement and mindful eating.

Photo courtesy of the author.

In 2016, I promise to prioritize my family’s happiness and well-being. My family’s happiness and well-being have always been my top priority in life. Even when I was a single mom, my son’s life was my priority. When I got married to Ron, our relationship as husband and wife became a priority. We’re together 24/7, not only living together but also working together every day. We spend quality family time with my son every Sunday.

A decade ago, I visualized living with my husband in a beautiful home on Vancouver’s west side. And now, in 2026, we’re blessed to live in a lovely crib overlooking the marina and waterfront.

Photo courtesy of the author.

In 2016, I wished to surround myself with trustworthy people who uplift, inspire, and encourage my growth. Come 2026, this is definitely checked off my list! I’m so blessed to have my Sisterhood Tribe—six beautiful, strong, loyal, empowered, and kind women who have my back always. Our friendship is a deep, unconditional bond between women built on trust, solidarity, and mutual support, surpassing traditional friendship or blood ties. We consciously chose to foster a supportive “tribe” of like-minded women who share in both triumphs and struggles.

In 2016, I vowed to be grateful and blessed in the coming decade for choosing a life I didn’t settle for. Now in 2026, I’m so grateful for the life I’ve chosen and continue to choose—a life I’m not settling for. At 57, I’m grateful to live authentically. I don’t need to waste time and energy pretending or forcing myself to live a lie. I live my life knowing I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. This choice has led me to smaller, more meaningful circles, the ability to cut ties with toxic people, and a zero-tolerance policy for nonsense. Ultimately, it results in a life of greater peace. 

With regard to pursuing my passion for writing, you are reading my innermost thoughts now! Nearly six years ago, in March 2020, I finally realized my dream by launching my column, “Maria in Vancouver!” I’m incredibly grateful for this platform that allows me to share my thoughts with the world. 

By following this 2016 trend, I realized we have to be careful about what we wish for—only wish for positive outcomes—because they do happen!