I'm in a similar position planning a 10-year anniversary trip (for next year, though).

Maldives is on my list because it's on my wife's list. Otherwise I wouldn't go there.

If I were you, I'd do something like:
(1) Use AA points to fly EY all the way to KL or Sin (I assume you can connect)
(2) Explore those places a bit, but use them as a launching pad for 2 side trips
(3) Side trip #1: Penang. I've never been but from what I've read/seen on TV/heard on FT...it's a major food destination
(4) Side trip #2: Langkawi. Never been either, but other commenters seem to like it.
(5) To mix it up, fly back over the pacific on CX or JAL. They don't go to DFW, but you could connect I guess. Availability might be an issue.

Both of the side trip places are close to KL or SIN so you're minimizing time on planes and maximizing time in destinations.

Alternatives to Langkawi (that have piqued my interest) are Phu Quoc (Vietnam) and Sihankoukville (Cambodia).They are pretty close, but not sure about flights/connections.

Cheers and happy anniversary.