Dear Candy,
I wanted to take some time to reach out to you on this very special day. I know it shouldn’t take a national day for me to do this, but you know—#life!
I guess I should start by thanking you for all of the wonderful moments we’ve had together.
- I love my childhood memories of pixie sticks, jolly ranchers, and anything cherry flavored. The red ones (of just about anything) are still my favorite.
- All of those times in college where the selection from bulk candy bins got me through hours of studying.
- Flash forward to adulthood and those 15 months where my first child didn’t sleep well: I loved that I could turn to you for some sweetness when I was cranky and tired.
- The late-night meet ups when the kids are in bed, and I’m just looking for a bit of “me time.”
- How you can hide so nicely in my purse and then you seem to show up and surprise me just when I need you.
I also love our random run-ins, like when I’m at a restaurant and they have a little bowl just sitting out. My kids love that too.
If you haven’t already realized, I’ve passed on my love of all things candy to the kids. We’ve bonded over you. They know that I’m a sucker (haha, get it??—sucker??), for giving in when it comes to candy requests. I try to resist, but sometimes I just give in. You’re welcome.
I also wanted to let you know that you’ve been a great way to get them to brush their teeth at night:
“Did you eat candy today?”
“Yes.”
“Then you need to brush your teeth or you can’t have candy anymore.”
[GASP!!}
“Okay! Where’s the toothbrush?”
Thank you for making those moments easier.
I do feel like I should apologize to you, however, for involving you in some of my lies.
I know I shouldn’t tell the kids that I don’t know where their candy went. Or that I tell them that the candy wrapper they found is old, when you and I both know we had a rendezvous right before.
I’m sorry, I’ll try to do better.
Listen, I know this is your day and all, but I have a bone to pick with you.
So, you might think I’m a candytarian, because I pretty much would eat candy all day if someone would let me (Yes, I know I’m the mom, and technically no one is stopping me from becoming a candytarian, but I am the mom so I have to set some sort of positive example!)
Anyway—my issue. I happen to be a vegetarian…and I was REALLY upset to learn that some of my favorite candies actually include gelatin. I won’t go into the details here, because this is still your day, but you and I both know what this means.
Those gummy bears I used to love? Marshmallow candies? They’re all dead to me. I’m even afraid of hot tamales now—no gelatin, but the confectioners glaze…Seriously?!
Why?! Can’t you just find a way to make all candy without anything that was once living? It seems like a small order.
I mean, yes, there are still hundreds of options available to me, but to cut out an entire section of the candy pyramid? It seems cruel.
Anyway—I didn’t mean to go off on that tangent.
I really do want to thank you for being an important part of my life and for helping create some great family memories together. I wish we could avoid the requests for you first thing in the morning, but it’s okay—they’ll learn.
I hope you have a fantastic #NationalCandyDay and that you get everything you want!
Lots of sweet love,
Sara
