Conversation

Recently, my young niece and nephew spent the night at my house while their parents were away on a trip out of town. We had a great time eating copious amounts of candy, watching Kung Fu Panda2 and picking the charms out of the Lucky Charms cereal. The older brother was quick to remind his little sister that eating just the charms out of the cereal box would not be allowed if “mom was here.” I have no doubt that my sister is grateful for the good habits I instilled within their impressionable little minds during their stay with me.

One of the candy options I had available was a bag of Valentine conversation hearts. My niece isn’t old enough to read yet so I was happy to decode the little heart messages as she popped them into her mouth. While I was reading the pithy little statements, I realized that a few things have changed since I last read a conversation heart. My generation would not have understood the meaning of “E-mail me”, “Txt me”, “LOL” and “www.Cupid.”  Our candy hearts would have been more likely to say “Call Me”, “Angel” and “Cool.”  After a quick Google search, I discovered that conversation candy had its beginnings 145 years ago. The sayings and the type of candy have changed over the years, but the desire to read a quick quip seems to have remained strong throughout the passing of time.

I must admit that the little chalky hearts continue to fascinate me as well.  Perhaps it is because I come from a family that not only can’t say anything in two words, but feels the need to enhance, embellish and elongate every sentence (okay, mostly me). The very idea that thoughts and feelings can be expressed in phrases no longer than a small confection is baffling. And yet, it seems that it can be done. Here is a list of conversation heart sayings that I think parsimoniously articulate big thoughts.

1) Be True

2) Don’t Tell

3) I’m Sure

4) Just One

5) Ask Me

6) Love

And then there are the little hearts that are a bit fluffy.

1) Soul Mate

2) Hey You

3) Got Cha

4) Luv Me

5) Cutie Pie

6) Cup Cake

I’m quite sure my loquacious nature will keep me from ever applying for a job at the conversation candy heart factory, but you can count on me to speak my mind whenever given the chance. I am also fortunate enough to be married to a man that would rather listen than talk. I think that that is one of the reasons we have been married for 35 years.

Happy Valentine’s Day!