My favorite thing about the arrival of February? Easy – Sweethearts conversation hearts. I love the way they taste. I love the inscriptions. I love that kids still exchange boxes of them in school. That’s why each February I await the new Sweethearts messages like a kid waiting for Santa.
This year’s new messages do not disappoint, but I was sad to see one go.
First of all, in 2010 we say goodbye to ”Fax Me” which I wholeheartedly support. Has anyone ever received a romantic fax? I mean really.
We say hello to, among other things, “Text Me” and “Tweet Me,” both of which I can get behind. “Text Me” is especially a natural since I am told by Candy Science Laura and the other people in the office who do not remember Commodore 64s and Ataris that texting is the preferred method of communication in a budding romance these days. “Tweet Me” is a little more unexpected since most tweets would appear in the streams of everyone following you and therefore you’d be unlikely to type “@CandyUSA Last night was brills and I think you are totes cute.” However, I suppose you could direct message @CandyUSA to pass along your sweet nothings.*
Other new messages messages this year include: “You Rock,” “Soul Mate,” “Love Bug” and “Me + You”. NECCO, the makers of these tiny little romantic candies, also brought back some classic expressions: “Puppy Love,” “Sweet Love,” “Sweat Pea” and “Love Me.” Are you as surprised as I was to learn “Love Me” had been out of the mix for awhile? I’m so glad they brought it back.
And finally, on a personal note, I was sad to learn that “E-mail Me” was being retired even though I think it was the right call. In the early days of our romance, my husband and I did a lot of flirting via e-mail. No one does that now. E-mail is a business tool. My husband IMs me, my friends write on my Facebook page, even my Dad texts me. No one sends e-mail anymore. So, it was time to say goodbye to the “E-mail Me” Sweetheart, but I’m still sad to see it go.
Apart from the new sayings, Sweethearts have made some other upgrades for Valentine’s Day this year. New flavors include Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Lemon, Grape and Orange. On top of that, the colors are a lot brighter and more fun. 
Plus (this is my favorite part), there’s now a Sweethearts iPhone app that allows you to send a customized heart to someone you love. You can also use the online version of the application to post to your own Twitter account or send it via e-mail.
If you were in charge of NECCO for the day, what message would you like to see on a conversation heart?
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*You figured it out. @CandyUSA is our handle on Twitter. Not following us yet? What are you waiting for?
I had been consulting my good friends 
