2016. The only thing that mattered in hindsight is that my baby boy was born in January that year. It set the tone for the year but more importantly, Alexander entering this world gave me the strength to endure.
In scrolling through my photos from 2016, it was indeed a tough one. For all the fantastic photos and videos of Alexander and his connection with then 8 year old Malia, it was tough seeing all the evidence photos I had to take such as injuries I endured and painful text messages received.
But 2016 helped shape me to be the person I am today.
I learned that even when dealing with a system that obstructs your rights, such as diplomatic immunity…you don’t let it break you. You learn to love more.
For each punch you take, you respond by loving more.
2016 gave me Alexander and loving and protecting him was my only responsibility. @maliadogtravels learned early to be my backup in protecting Alexander. She would remain with him, sleeping on the floor under his crib when I wasn’t in the room feeding him.
At 8 months old, Alexander spoke his first words: “Daddy”.
My career couldn’t have been better as I worked locally in Spain and had to overall healthcare for Alexander and I which meant not paying a penny for something me of the health issues he had. It was refreshing to receive a months worth of his special milk-protein free formula that cost €100 per tin in 2016, all for free.
My private consulting was blowing up as well, and it was manageable as these U.S. clients covered my 3pm-11pm hours as I was living on Central Europe hours. So U.S. “lunch break hours” were my “prepare dinner for the family, have dinner together, and put Alexander to sleep each night after his mother bathed him”.
But I worked hard because I knew I needed to save up to pay future family lawyer fees based on what I was experiencing.
Clearly fast forwarding to 2026, things haven’t improved on the legal front.
But the person I am today all comes back to 2016.
💜💪
January 17, 2026 at 08:16PM
via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DToh0MkEdov/
Source: mattpeloquin
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