My cousin Cathy told me an amusing story about Olivia, her two-year-old daughter, recently. After not hearing any nonsensical babble from Olivia for a few minutes and suspecting mischief, Cathy went to investigate. She found her daughter sitting on the bottom step of the staircase in their house, slowly sniffing individual pieces of wrapped gummy candy Cathy’s friend had given them the previous day. When Olivia realized she’d been discovered, she tried to hide her face and hands still holding the candy between the rungs of the staircase. But not before she told her mother, “No, no, no!” She wanted to sniff her gummies in peace, was that too much to ask?

I chuckled as Cathy recounted the story, finding it cute but un-relatable. That is, until yesterday.

I saw these colorful babies in the Sanrio section of the Japanese supermarket, an area I tend to avoid because it has undeniably adorable but overpriced items. I was there searching for a gift bag to go with the Tesuki Japanese Paper.

I think my eyes may have bugged out when I picked up this Chococat Cola Flavor Bubble Gum, because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and smelling. (Yes, I gave it several good sniffs, like any crazy—or is it smart?—person would.) The gum has a strong cola scent, and the more I smelled it, the more I craved an ice-cold Coca-Cola. Chococat Cola Flavor Bubble Gum, I think you’re one of the best creations since bacon.

And the bliss continued in the form of Deery Lou Cherry Flavor Bubble Gum, smelling just as delectable as its cola cousin. Deery Lou, I love you. Really, could it get any better? It could.

I combined a piece of the cola and cherry gums, and almost died of happiness. See, my favorite soft drink is Coca-Cola Cherry. And to know that I’d recreated its flavor at a fraction of its calories? Sweet.