Dear Cheerios,

How are you, my friends?

Actually, I don’t need to ask that, because I know exactly how you are.

You are in a yellow box, hanging out in the homes of babies worldwide.

In my house particularly, you are in the cabinet, on the floor, in the couch cushions, stuck in my daughter shoes, and everywhere else possible.  You have also made your way into our car, nestled in the car seat, resting on the floor mats, and hanging out in the seat pockets.

My daughter loves you so much, that if you are anywhere near her highchair while she is eating, she will not eat anything else until she receives a handful of you.

You are so simple, but so good.  The shape of a mini-donut, and a taste that is so bland, it is actually intriguing.

When I see my daughter, munching on you, I often partake in a bowl myself with cold milk.  Sometimes I’ll add blueberries or strawberries, if I’m feeling extra crazy.

Growing up, I often ate your cousins, “Honey Nut,” and “Apple Cinnamon,” and in college, I once had “beer-ios.”  Now in my thirties, I have gone full circle and am back to the original.

Since we all know each other so well now, I have three favors I want to ask of you.

1)   Can you send my family a lifetime supply of yourself?
2)   Would you consider switching to the shape of a triangle or square, so my daughter can start learning her shapes?
3)   Can you please put my daughter on the cover of all of your boxes worldwide from Feb. 7-14, as a part of congenital heart defect awareness week?

You see, Cheerios, my daughter was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD), and after life-saving open-heart surgery, she is now thriving at 1.6 years old.

Being America’s #1 birth defect, awareness has to be raised for CHDs, and what better time to focus on the heart, than leading up to Valentine’s Day?

As Cheerios are considered a “heart healthy” breakfast, I see this as the perfect fit.

Thanks for all you do to feed babies to senior citizens, and I actually have to run to the store to buy some of you now.

 

Cheerio,

 

Tom Riles
www.LifeofDad.com
tom@tomriles.com