BE MINE

Valentine's Month

What are Valentine heart candies called?

Sweethearts.

I didn't know that.

I'd always thought, conversation hearts.

Here are more facts for you to ponder on.

Did you know that the original, disk-shaped lozenges were decorated with much longer and more formal phrases like HOW LONG SHALL I HAVE TO WAIT? PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE and WHY IS A STYLISH GIRL LIKE YOU A THRIFTY HOUSEKEEPER? (The answer, on the other side: BECAUSE SHE MAKES A BIG BUSTLE ABOUT A LITTLE WAIST.)

These small sugar candies sold around Valentine's Day have also become popular at weddings as a novelty way of offering relationship advice such as, Married in White, you have chosen right or Married in Pink, he’ll take to drink.

Interesting, huh?

Traditionally, each heart is printed with a message such as Kiss Me, Call Me, Let's Get Busy, or Miss You. 

But could you have guessed that these small hearts have evolved from being bigger, larger lozenges shaped like horseshoes, baseballs and shells?

I can't even imagine what the inscription would have said on them.

In 2010, when the company asked the public to suggest new sayings, more than 10,000 submissions were received. TWEET ME, TEXT ME and LOVE BUG ranked as the top three.

Another source of inspiration? Hollywood. Sweethearts once collaborated with an unlikely partner, the Twilight movie franchise, to print candies with themed sayings like BITE ME and LIVE 4 EVER.

At my age, an affair of the heart is a bypass. But at least, I can celebrate the best thing about conversation hearts, not its taste, but its playful nostalgia.

Of a moment that takes you back to a simpler time.

Of true friends of your childhood who were willing to fight monsters with you.

Of a cherished time that can wrap you in the warm hug of someone saying, Be mine.