Before kids, before the wedding—just a quiet morning in Shenzhen, a bowl of noodles, and the simple joy of being together.
There’s something about travel before parenthood—it feels lighter, freer, and full of quiet moments that later become anchor points in memory. This photo takes us back to a noodle bar in Shenzhen, sometime before the wedding, before the little ones, when it was just me and Yuan exploring, eating, and enjoying the slowness of mornings.
A Breakfast That Cost Nearly Nothing
We’d stumbled across this noodle bar not far from where we were staying. It wasn’t fancy—plastic chairs, a laminated menu, and fluorescent lighting—but the noodles were hot, the broth rich, and the rice fluffy and perfect.
The whole meal probably cost us less than a bus ride. But the value? Off the charts.
Yuan’s Smile Says It All
That look on Yuan’s face? Pure joy. No rush, no plans—just a good meal in good company. It was early, the streets were still waking up, and we had nowhere we needed to be. She was tucking into that bowl like it was the best thing in the world. And honestly, in that moment, it was.
The Magic in the Mundane
Sometimes travel is about ticking boxes—landmarks, attractions, famous dishes. But the things we talk about most now are the tiny, quiet scenes like this one:
- Sitting across from each other, sharing bites
- Watching the locals shuffle in for their morning fix
- Wondering how a meal this good could be so cheap
- Talking about where we’d go next—or not talking at all, just enjoying
No Kids, Just Us
Before we were “mum and dad,” we were just two people figuring things out together. Trips like this one—full of cheap eats, unexpected detours, and quiet discoveries—laid the groundwork for the life we’ve built since.
It was the kind of morning that disappears as it’s happening but reappears years later as a warm, golden memory.
Final Thoughts
I think about that noodle bar often. Not because the food was mind-blowing (though it was great), but because it reminds me of the pace we used to live at—slow, curious, full of firsts.
If you ever find yourself in a new city, hungry and without a plan, find the local noodle bar. Sit down. Order whatever’s hot. Share it with someone you love. That’s all it takes to make a memory that sticks.
And if you're lucky, it might only cost you the equivalent of spare change—but leave you feeling like a millionaire.