I heart Cereal | Image: "Fruity Pebbles" F. Martin Ramin via Wall Street Journal | Design: Laura Messersmith — **I heart Cereal** | Image: "Fruity Pebbles" *F. Martin Ramin via* *Wall Street Journal* | Design: *Laura Messersmith*

It seems that the cereal industry has lost ground in the battle for breakfast and it looking for alternative meals, but when I spotted this headline on the front cover of a neighbor’s Wall Street Journal last week - Pitching Cereal for Dinner and Late Nights - I thought, what else is new?

When Mike and I were first married we were offered all sorts of advice and well wishes for a happy life together. Among the sprinkling of philosophical guidance and funny anecdotes was one particular pearl of wisdom for Mike. My close friend and longest reigning roommate, Kate had a more practical tip for maintaining marital bliss with yours truly: always keep the cereal cabinet well-stocked and fresh milk in the fridge. There you have it.

I grew up eating cereal most mornings except sometimes on weekends when my mom would make a ‘big breakfast’ of pancakes or eggs. Over time it migrated from mornings to become my stand-in for anytime I’m hungry – a trend that continues today.

In my world ‘breakfast cereal’ is a misnomer since I can and do eat cereal at all hours. Back home after a long trip, too hot to cook, in need a light snack, or utterly starving? The answer is always to have a bowl of cereal. It’s my comfort food. I may have become slightly addicted. Now, frankly, I just don’t feel like my day has started or ended correctly without it.

What is my point here? Well, really all this is a long-winded way of saying:

Dear Kellogg’s, General Mills, Post, and Kashi,

I’ve done my part as a loyal customer for more than 30 years. As long as you continue to produce fine products like Smart Start, Honey Nut Cheerios, Grape Nuts, and Go Lean Crunch (the berry kind), and barring some sort of terrible gluten or dairy allergy befalling me, we're in this together!

Your devoted fan,
Laura

PS: I also love Froot Loops, but feel awkward buying them when they are clearly for me and I am clearly over the age of 7.