Today is Ben’s and my 11 year wedding anniversary – holy moly, does time fly!
Most people are surprised to learn that Ben and I have known each other since Kindergarten – we were in opposite corners of our class picture, ha! – though we didn’t start dating until the summer before our senior year in college. We ran around with the same group in high school but the stars didn’t align for our singles selves until that fateful summer when we reconnected at home before dating long distance at separate schools for a year. Three years later he got down on one knee and we’ve never looked back.
Ben and I are total opposites in so many ways. He is the hip hop to my 90s pop. The night owl to my early bird. The calm to my crazy. The messy to my tidy. The patient to my impulsive. The big picture to my small details. The cautious to my spontaneous. The extro to my intro. But, it works. I don’t know what I did in a previous life to deserve this caring, kind, supportive, wise, thoughtful, fun, insightful, hard-working, loving, and giving man, but it must have been something pretty epic.
Is marriage hard? HELL yes!!! But this guy makes it as easy as it can possibly be.
Ben’s the kind of person that saves you the last bite, never watches ahead in Netflix, and only throws a minor fit when you “fix” the garage door handle by accidentely gluing it on backwards with gorilla glue.
What can I say, he agreed to for better and for worse!
Truly Ben makes me strive to be a better person every day. He is the first to help and give of whatever his family or friends need. Anyone who knows Ben would agree that he is the best of the best. I totally married up…which is what I remind myself of every time I have to pick up his socks from the bedroom floor.
I mean, the hamper is RIGHT there!
You don’t see Ben on the blog a lot because he hates attention, and having his picture taken, but IGE would not exist without him. He’s been my faithful taste tester, recipe tweaker, and cheerleader from day one. He also hates recognition and will undoubtedly hate this post, but here we are. ;)
Not only is Ben the best husband on the planet (minus those socks,) but he’s also the best Dad. The best, best, BEST Dad.
Fun, soft, patient and full of wisdom – these kids are incredibly lucky. Ugh!
Cheers, my love, to 11 years down and many, MANY more years to go!
In honor of my dear husband, and our 11 years of marriage, I thought it’d be fun to share 10 of Ben’s favorite recipes today. Probably should have made it 11 recipes but that seemingly obvious thought didn’t occur to me until just now, and we’ve already come too far.
Ben is an awesome cook – many of the recipes we both love and that I’m sharing below came from his brain – but since I work from home I do most of the day-to-day cooking. He takes care of us on the weekends when he has time to slow down and cook a stew, or throw a few racks of ribs or a brisket on the smoker (his favorite hobby,) but when it comes to dinner Monday – Friday, Mama’s in charge and these are the recipes he’s always glad to see on the menu. Spicy, crispy, comforting, and packed with flavor, maybe a few of these will become favorites of yours too!
Spicy Shrimp Soup
Smoked Sausage and Chicken Gumbo
Air Fryer Wings
Gluten Free Homestyle Chicken and Noodles
Green Beans with Bacon
Beef Enchilada Recipe
Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls
Stove Top Beef Stew
Healthier Kimchi Fried Rice
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Triple Berry Crumb Bars
I love this! And you just handed me 2 weeks worth of meal planning!!! I’ve only made the chicken and noodles from this list so my family is in for a treat!
Kristin, this is the absolute sweetest tribute and I feel like I know you and Ben so much better. It reminds of the tender children’s book, You Are My Miracle.
Happy Anniversary! I always tell people that my husband and I compliment each other :) We have been married for 11 years too and just the other day realized we’ve been dating for 15 years!
I had to tell you that I made the chicken and rice dish last night for 2 sick kiddos and I’m in LOVE. It was SO delicious and SO easy. Thank you for your amazing recipes and congratulations on your anniversary!
OMG What a sweet tribute! This is great!!!
Happy Anniversary!
It looks like you two are a great team.
Congratulations!
Thank you, Ruthie! :)
Thank you for sharing these recipes. Hope these are so tasty and nutritious too.
My pleasure, Olivia – I hope you enjoy!
Excited to try Bens favorites
Yay! Hope you love the recipes, Sharon!
Happy Anniversary! April 5th this year also marked 11 years for my hubby and I!!
Ahh, that is too fun!! Happy anniversary to you too! :)
Such a sweet post! Happy Anniversary!
Thanks Jamie!!
Happy Anniversary!!! Nothing better than having a great husband AND father!!
Amen! Thanks Julie! :)
Happy anniversary to you both, and many more!
Thank you Nancy, I really appreciate it! :)
I remember you talking about those quesadillas from the OG days of the blog?
They have definitely stood the test of time!!