It was my junior year of college and I worked at our college newspaper selling ads. Despite a job, I always seemed to be short on cash after buying groceries and paying my rent, so going out to eat was rarely an option.
When I did go out to eat, it was generally a Taco Bell run in between classes or client runs. But on occasion, I would find myself at a campus fast food Chinese joint — aptly named Dragon Express.
One night, one of my roommates and I decided to walk to The Dragon for some greasy goodness. Per usual, I was short on cash, so I was stuck with whatever my $3 could get me. Turns out I could afford 3 spring rolls. A typical meal for my broke self.
I ate my spring rolls with a bit of sweet & sour sauce and went on my merry way.
That night, I awoke in the wee hours of the morning and promptly puked my guts out. And puked. And puked. For almost a full 24 hours. And all I could taste each time was those $3 spring rolls.
Had they not washed the veggies properly? Was the deep fryer full of puke-inducing bacteria? I will never know, but I do know one thing: It was my cheap Chinese that made me sick.
The following night, still feeling awful, my friend {aka the future hubby} came over. At the time, I was distancing myself from him because I didn’t want to be anything more than friends. I remember his eagerness to come over and offer me company and how he had turned down a Friday night out with friends to hang out with me. In my pajamas. Without make-up. Still feeling nauseous.
He instantly made me feel better just being there for me. We sat on the couch and watched The Blue Collar Comedy Tour, and laughed and talked for hours.
That night laying in bed, I had an epiphany: His adoration for me was evident. What college guy would blow off friends to spend time with a hot mess of a girl? He obviously cared about me deeply…and that’s when I knew I felt the exact same way about him. He needed to become a part of my everyday life.
A month later, we were exchanging “I love you,” and 3 years later, we were married.
Funny how a little spell with food poisoning can change a gal’s perspective. Thanks, Dragon Express for making horrible spring rolls. Without you, I may have missed out on giving the most wonderful man a chance at my heart.
Our first photo together…”just friends” at the time.
This was written for Mama Kat’s Writing Workshop. The prompt was #3, Yuck. Food Poisoning.
Have you ever had food poisoning? What was it that made you sick?
Congrats to your marriage! It is so funny the twists life takes. I am so happy that fate stepped in for you in the form of Chinese Food 🙂
Even though it was horrible at the time, I don’t regret my decision to eat it 😉
I love how a yucky food poisoning incident is turned into a positive love story!
Gotta make lemonade sometimes, ya know?
I love that the yucky story turned into something wonderful!
I’m a believer in fate and this is definitely one instance where it played out well 🙂
This is so sweet! I almost chose this prompt, because I also experienced food poisoning once, but I didn’t have a charming story to go along with mine! I’m glad your future hubby was there for you. (My hubby was there for me with mine too….through the really BAD parts!)
Gotta love ’em!
Tis true. Thankfully he came in after the worst of it 😉
Nice ending to a yucky story!
That’s awesome! I have had more unfortunate encounters with Mr. Salmonella than any one individual should in a life…the one on the honeymoon, the one that hit us both when my husband had a day off work, and so on… But I don’t think any of mine have the nice ending like yours does. 🙂
I know – I got very lucky this time around. Next time, I’m sure I’ll be reflecting back on this post and gritting my teeth in anger!
Popped in from Mama Kat’s! That’s such a cool tale!
You just never know when you’ll realize you’ve found the love of your life. All roads led to him, with a detour for dinner at the Dragon Express 🙂
You got it, girl! It’s so strange where the road leads us sometimes.
Reverse love story: Mine was leftover Red Lobster lobster pizza … I get nauseous just typing it. My boyfriend at the time went out to the bar to watch basketball instead of taking care of me. He’s gone, and I have no doubt my husband would take care of me if food poisoning ever occurs again!
That’s a great reason for him to be gone, Jen! Glad you found a good guy to stick by your side no matter what instead.
Awww! what a gross, endearing story! And despite your horrible experience, I am now craving spring rolls! LOL.
I’m here from Mamakats. I’d love you to visit me too!
Whatever you do, don’t eat spring rolls 😉
Oh man! I love this! This is totally a “How I Met Your Mother” moment. It’s amazing how fate can steer your life like that.
Haha, it is one of those moments! Sometimes I think fate is an evil biatch, but this time I was glad it worked in my favor 😉
Lovely. Redemptive. And from food poisoning.
You got it 😉
Glad to hear something good came up…instead of the other stuff. 😉
Tehehehehe.
Funny you mention Taco Bell…worst case of food poisoning ever. Chris & I were barely married and I’m almost positive he wouldn’t have married me had that happened outside of vows. At one point, I calmly stated that I had “shat myself.” (I was wrong, but I couldn’t tell & that’s how sick I was).
You married a good man. Chris & I are, admittedly, not nearly as nice & compassionate.
HAHAHA! Poor thing. I’ve heard of T-Bizzle dishing out its fair share of food poisoning. Makes me sad because I love it. I must have a stomach of steel because I’ve only had happy TB experiences 😉
Oh… yuck on the chinese food! But yay for getting together with your husband!!
It makes an interesting story to tell your children when they ask how you met!
That’s a good point, Jackie 🙂
Well I don’t know if I want to console you or high five you! But I will say that was a very odd way to win a man over. 😉
I guess every man loves a damsel in distress 😉
What’s up colleagues, how is everything, and what you want to say on the topic of this paragraph, in my view its in fact remarkable in support of me.