This is the weirdest "how we met" story that Peter's ever heard in his entire life. In reality and in fiction -- which is really saying something, because he and Ned were always watching movies together.

He doesn't ask if she misses him, because Peter can't imagine not missing his wife (if he had one), and there's so many people he misses right now that he's not married to. So instead, he asks another question:

"How do you deal with him not being here?"