Quick & Easy Asian Peanut Noodles: A Versatile Recipe for Lunch or Dinner, Plus Our Sweet 11-Year Anniversary Story
Discover the ultimate recipe for light and flavorful Asian Peanut Noodles, perfect for a quick lunch or a hearty dinner with added protein and veggies. Alongside this delicious dish, join me in celebrating a special milestone – my 11th wedding anniversary – and read the heartwarming story of how my husband and I met and built our life together.
Celebrating Love and Delicious Food: Our 11th Anniversary and a Favorite Noodle Dish
Today marks a truly special occasion for my husband and me: our 11th wedding anniversary! My husband took the day off work, and instead of navigating the usual babysitting logistics, we’re cherishing some quality time together as a family. This milestone always makes me reflect on our journey, and it feels like the perfect moment to share a bit of our story. You might remember me mentioning in a previous post that our parents live across the street from each other, which sparked a lot of questions about how we met. Well, let me clear that up right away: no, they haven’t always been next-door neighbors! That arrangement only came about roughly six years ago. Before that, we simply lived in the same town, creating a serendipitous backdrop for our early romance.
How Our Story Began: Marching Band, Movie Dates, and Parental Approval
Our paths first crossed in high school, where we were both deeply involved in competitive summer marching band. He was a talented drummer, keeping the rhythm steady, while I played the trombone, adding to the brass section’s harmonies. It was during the summer between my freshman and sophomore year that we truly connected. Long bus trips to competitions became opportunities for card games and easy conversations, blossoming into a strong friendship. As school resumed that fall, he took a chance and asked me to go to a movie – a date that, coincidentally, fell on Labor Day weekend. At 15, I was still under the strict “no dating until 16” rule, which made the situation a bit tricky.
I tried to convince my parents it was a group outing, but they were not easily fooled! After much persuasion, they finally agreed to let me go out with this 17-year-old boy who, to their apparent relief, even had his own car. But there was a significant catch: the night before, on Friday, we had to go out for pizza with them, followed by the high school football game. My aunt and uncle, who also lived in town, mysteriously showed up there too. Talk about an eventful first date! He must have successfully passed the rigorous “parental approval test,” because the very next night, we were granted permission to see a movie and enjoy ice cream together, just the two of us. It was a memorable start to what would become a lifelong adventure.
College Years, Long Distance, and a Disney Adventure
Our relationship continued for a while, a sweet high school romance. Eventually, we broke up as life led us in different directions – he went off to college, only 30 minutes away, and we both dated other people. Yet, through it all, we remained genuinely good friends, a testament to the strong bond we had forged. It was during the summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college that fate intervened once more. We decided to take a trip to Florida together to visit his sister, who worked at Disney. That fun-filled trip, full of theme park magic and shared laughter, rekindled something special between us. Shortly before I was due to start my sophomore year, we officially started dating again.
This time, however, our colleges were a challenging two hours apart, meaning we had to navigate the complexities of a long-distance relationship. We made it work, with countless phone calls and weekend visits. When he graduated, he faced a choice between moving to Fort Collins or Rochester, Minnesota, for his career. Knowing I still had a year and a half left of my degree, and Rochester was only an hour away from my school, the decision was clear. Rochester it was – a choice that brought us closer, both geographically and emotionally, strengthening our commitment.
From Engagement to Family: Our Life Together
The next big chapter began on my birthday, January 1, 2001, when he proposed. I still had one semester of college left, but we were both eager to start our married life without delay. We wanted to get married quickly, eager to solidify our commitment and begin our life as husband and wife. After searching for a venue, the soonest we could secure a date was August 31, 2001. It happened to be the Friday of Labor Day weekend, making it perfectly fitting, almost a full-circle moment, given that our very first date had also taken place on a Labor Day weekend Friday. That day was absolutely perfect, marking the official start of our incredible journey.
Fast forward 11 years to today: we are happily settled in Fort Collins, raising our wonderful 7-year-old son. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a single thing. It has been an amazing 11 years, filled with love, laughter, growth, and the beautiful chaos of family life. I cherish every moment and eagerly look forward to many, many more years ahead with my incredible husband and our son. Our love story continues to unfold, richer and deeper with each passing year.
The Perfect Anniversary Meal: Quick and Easy Asian Peanut Noodles
And now, speaking of things my husband loves, I have an Asian noodle recipe that he absolutely adores and frequently requests. I first made these Asian Peanut Noodles for lunch one day when he was home, and he was instantly hooked! It’s one of those fantastic recipes that are incredibly quick to prepare, super easy, and wonderfully versatile. Whether you’re craving a light meal or a hearty dinner, these noodles deliver. You can easily add cooked chicken, pork (which I often do with leftovers for an even more satisfying meal!), shrimp, or a medley of your favorite vegetables – whatever you have on hand or whatever your taste buds desire!
