On my desk, I have a huge bag of peanut butter cups thanks to my awesome roommate! I keep dipping my hand into it and thinking about how I’ll never get tired of eating them. Then I thought about my friends, how they’re all different and how throughout life, you gain various groups of them that are not like the others. At that moment, the realization hit me: friends are exactly like candy. Here’s why.

Candy is sweet, sometimes too sweet. There are friends like this: the innocent, fun-loving, motherly type. Of course you adore these friends because of how enormous their hearts are, and you think, “Wow, they’re so kind. They’re a ‘total mom.’ How could anyone not love them?” At the same time, the sweetness may be overpowering. You still love them but prefer them in smaller doses rather than every second of everyday. If you have too much sugar, you’ll get sick of it.

Whenever there is sweet, there is sour. These friends are the brutally honest, sassy, or stubborn ones. They “pack a punch” and can deliver quick-witted comments at any moment. They may be bitter about small nuisances, but they are the ones that aim straight for the kill. They don’t mess around and “beat around the bush.” No, they tell you up front what the problem is and what to do about it, and everyone needs this motivation and honesty. Sour friends are like a wake-up call; they have some tang but get you moving.

We all have one friend who’s a bit of an old soul. This is the “grandparent candy,” such as Butterscotch, Peppermint, and hard candies alike. They may be bland at times, but they’re still flavorful, good-natured, and nostalgic. They bring you back to younger times and “the good ‘ol days.” These friends make you reminisce about your memories together or what life was like in the past. They are the sentimental classics.

Friends are like gummy candies too: bouncy, vivacious, and a little immature. They are a ball of energy, and there is never a dull moment with them. They can tend to be overly enthusiastic, however, and come off as easily influenced depending on their surroundings. On the flip side, they create a bold impression and can persuade others to do different things as well. Nonetheless, these friends are a fun time, with their unending giddiness soaring through the roof.

Throughout life, you will gain new friends. These are the fresh, hip flavors out on the market today, or they may be a kind of candy you have never got to try until now. They are refreshing, like gum, and can show you new approaches and perspectives to ideas. You will probably meet these people as you grow older and are in areas you don’t know much about. Sometimes, the crisp taste may wear down as time progresses, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t enjoy them. You’re becoming used to the flavor, and being friends means growing accustomed to each other. That’s what happens.

Then there’s your favorite piece of candy. For me, this would be my peanut butter cup. These friends are your best friends, your forever friends. (My best friends are nuts, so the peanut butter cup comparison works out well for me.) It doesn’t matter how long you’re with or away from them because they are your most trusted confidantes. You can’t ask for anything more. You can tell them anything, do anything and still have fun, and act like jerks but love each other. They are not just friends but family. The happiness will never cease to exist, even if there are a few rough patches that occur. You can’t get sick of them no matter what. They’re the greatest, and that’s it.

It’s true; friends are like candy. Every once in awhile, you crave a different flavor, and sometimes they overlap. Whatever the case is, friends (and candies) are irreplaceable.