Hot Chocolate

I have always loved hot chocolate.  It has been my favorite version of a chocolate fix.  As a kid, I would occasionally treat myself to a Hostess Ho-Ho.  I had a Twix and Three Musketeer phase.  A mint chocolate chip ice cream lark.  But nothing's lasted as long as my love for hot chocolate.

Growing up, my go-to hot chocolate was the Swiss Miss variety.  In college, I found some different packets of the powdered stuff...Land O Lakes, that had flavors like mint or raspberry or caramel.  On cold, dark nights in southeastern Ohio, a cup of that with some hot water courtesy of the hot plate was heaven.

When I first started to date G, it was winter time in Michigan.  I remember being at his apartment and craving a warm beverage.

"You wouldn't have any hot chocolate, would you?"

"Sure," he said.  "It's up in the cupboard.  Help yourself."

I looked for the familiar light blue cardboard box with the Swiss Miss on it, but couldn't find it.

Then I realized that his hot chocolate came in a container with a lid, marked Ghirardelli.  What was this magical elixir?  I started to read the directions and reached for the tea kettle to boil water.

"What are you doing?, " G asked.  "You use milk.  Just warm up some milk in the microwave."

Milk?  Fancy hot chocolate AND milk?  What was this decadence?  I followed his instructions and proceeded to have the tastiest mug of hot chocolate I'd ever experienced.

To this day, if I crave a hot chocolate fix, I go for the container of Ghirardelli that we always have in the pantry.

 I've never laid eyes on that Swiss Miss again.