A Day at the Candy Factory: A Glimpse into the Lives of Edwin and Ionia

As we stepped into the factory, I was struck by the sense of calm that pervaded the air. It's not every day you visit a candy factory, but this one seemed remarkably peaceful, like a tranquil oasis in the midst of a bustling industrial landscape. The soft hum of machinery and the occasional chatter of employees created a soothing background noise that belied the high-energy world of confectionery production.

Edwin, the self-appointed "right-hand man" to Ionia, the factory's director, was hard at work ensuring that every machine functioned smoothly. His quiet dedication and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of his work, from fine-tuning the machinery to making sure that every candy piece met the highest standards of quality. It was clear that Edwin took pride in his role as mechanic and was fiercely committed to keeping the production line running smoothly.

Ionia, on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with. Her presence commanded attention, and her sharp wit and direct manner made her an effective leader. She moved with confidence through the factory, directing her team members with ease and expertise. Edwin seemed to thrive under her guidance, responding to every suggestion and critique with enthusiasm and dedication.

One of the most striking aspects of their partnership was the way they balanced each other out. Ionia's strengths lay in production, while Edwin's expertise resided in maintenance. Together, they formed a harmonious yin-and-yang duo that worked like clockwork. Their teamwork was evident in every aspect of their work, from the precision of the candy-making process to the camaraderie among their colleagues.

Their personal lives were equally fascinating. Ionia and Edwin had met while working at the factory, bonding over their shared passion for their craft. It wasn't long before they realized that they had fallen deeply in love, and their relationship became the stuff of local legend. As a couple, they seemed inseparable, often spending quiet moments together during breaks or on their lunch hour.

Ionia's family life was also worth noting. She spoke fondly of her children, who were still young enough to be around at the factory. Her parents had been her rock, supporting her every step of the way and instilling in her a strong work ethic that served her well in her career. Ionia's own approach to parenting was similar, where she prioritized helping others and giving back to her community. Her children were lucky to have such a loving and supportive mother.

As we made our way through the factory, Ionia shared stories of her past, including the time when Edwin had helped her out by providing for her family's needs. He had brought $60 every Friday morning to help feed her kids, an act of kindness that had left a lasting impression on her. It was clear that their lives had become inextricably linked, and their partnership had created something truly special.

The hours passed quickly as we explored the factory floor, marveling at the sheer scale of production and the skill involved in crafting each candy piece by hand. We visited various stations, from the chocolate-making room to the packaging department, where Edwin demonstrated his expertise by fixing a stubborn machine. Ionia was always nearby, offering words of encouragement and guidance as needed.

At one point, we stopped at a table set out with snacks and drinks, including steak, rice, and juice boxes for her children. It was clear that this was more than just a normal break; it was a rare moment of respite in the midst of a busy day. As I looked around at the happy family dynamics unfolding before me, I felt grateful for the opportunity to witness such a special bond.

As we approached the end of our tour, Edwin and Ionia shared a warm smile with each other, their love and appreciation for one another evident for all to see. It was clear that they had built a life together, one that was filled with purpose, passion, and joy. As we bid farewell to this unlikely couple and left the factory behind, I couldn't help but feel inspired by their partnership and their commitment to making a difference in the world, one piece of candy at a time.

Eventually it's 1:00 PM and lunchtime. Edwin is getting his steak. We will have our food soon. What do you bring for lunch usually? Today, I got steak. Oh, rice and nice planting sounds delicious. You're welcome to try our food so only you are oh, thank you. Oh, oh, nice! I love the juice who asked who out first like who asked who out for a date my friend was his friend and they said let's go out together. I was like "you said no why cuz I have two kids." I started working here when my youngest one is 10 months old. I was by myself with my kids, it wasn't easy but there was an angel.

An angel because there was an old man who works here and he finds out what I'm going through and helps me out. He brings $60 every Friday morning to help feed my kids, an act of kindness that had left a lasting impression on her. It's clear their lives have become inextricably linked, and their partnership has created something truly special.

As we continue our visit, Edwin is now at the chocolate-making room fixing machines. Ionia is directing her team. They are fine-tuning every detail of production. The factory floor seems to be coming alive with the sounds of machinery whirring and candies being poured into molds. It's an impressive display of efficiency and teamwork.

In this world where candy meets art, we see a couple whose love for each other serves as a perfect example of partnership in action. Edwin and Ionia have formed an unbreakable bond that transcends mere friendship or colleagues but has evolved to be the foundation of their lives together. They're proof that when you find your perfect match, nothing can come between the two of you.

At the end of our visit we see some family photos on a display case in the waiting room. There are lots of pictures with Ionia's kids and parents who worked here. Edwin is also present in many of the pictures with his partner and close friends. It looks like love has conquered all, even in this fast-paced and demanding world.

As I leave the factory behind, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to witness such a remarkable partnership and the love that shines brightly between these two people. They may be from different walks of life, but their love story is one for the ages – a testament to the power of true partnership and the enduring impact it can have on our lives.

I will always remember this visit to the candy factory as a day filled with laughter, joy, and inspiration. I left with a sense of wonder at the beauty that can be found in unexpected places and the importance of nurturing relationships that bring us closer together. And as I leave this sweet-scented world behind, I know that Edwin and Ionia's love story will stay with me forever.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwow oh wow wow wow wow woo it is 5:30 in the morning and it is really really cold looks like we're in the right place good morning morning it's cold oh I kind of broke it hairnet how do I look legit we are in Union New Jersey at the Smarties candy factory so much candy which interestingly enough I have actually eaten a lot of in my childhood candy necklace how many of these did I wear and we are here to meet Ionia who has been working here for many many many decades I grew up obsessed with candy I loved this one show where they would go inside different candy factories I just love the whole process obviously that process has gotten super automated but there are still humans behind it and I wanted to see the humans responsible hi IIA all right hi how you doing what are you working on every morning we do paperwork we check to make sure everything is running in place and you're going to show me the ropes by the end of the day I'll be able to make Smarties Myself eat them my name is Estonia Sano I work here for 35 years almost 36 19 years as a lead person we usually come in the morning and then start all the machines then I do all my paperwork by the time people get here I put everybody to work okay thank you do you think that you are a good leader I can't get better I always try to get better I teach everybody anything that you need if you did it wrong if you don't know how to do it if you think that you're not going to make it anything you would let me know I will help you what is the most challenging part of your job being a lead person guess a woman I'm the only woman here as a lead do you feel like you get the same respect as the male leaders I make sure that they will hi Sonia does it just feel like you're working every day at Willy Wonka yes I love that movie here is where the mag start wo it smells like a child's birthday party in here right right right right we have all the colors every time that he mixes some colors he goes through the computer this is the mixer everything got mixed oh wow okay then they have mixed in there all the ingredients go the color goes through the pipes oh my God everything got into here wow and this is a com in the candy goes up and over the rapping room the Cy come this way right got all the flavors they pipe in they mix they go up to the invader and then from there they goes through each machine and they all go into the big Hoppers where they mix together oh my God this is so cool the machine sorts and organizes them like they're coins in a slot and then they get wrapped when it gets full that big bucket it's transferred with a forklift to this machine whoo whoo whoo I feel like I'm actually okay at this job what was your first day like the beginning was hard everything has a number here everything has to be in place so you have to learn all that and you cannot make a mistake to put this item in this box because it doesn't belong and I used to cry I said I had to learn by the end of the week top two weeks I will learn all the machines and then I did but not by myself people help me out I work with my husband Edwin he's a mechanic all right a look who it is hi Edwin hello how's it going very good how often do you come and visit him here a lot a lot a do you ever come just to say hi yes I do talk to him about our kids about the house or whatever and then I go back to my work and to me it help meot that he's there with his knowledge I learn more can you fix any machine every machine I consider myself a lucky person because having him as my my right hands it's Priceless down go the mechanic it still going down he did you see anything right he just started the machine not even one person is a team group it requires a lot of good people that you know that you're the best warm warm candy it's 9:45 in the morning we've basically been in every single room in the factory I think what I'm most amazed at here is like yes this is a candy factory but it's very calm Ionia sets a very chill non frenetic energy around here also she and Edwin are so freaking cute as a couple I'm as entranced by her professionally as I am of their relationship the two of them are sort of like king and queen of this Castle he makes sure the machines work she makes sure the people are happy who make the machines work it's the ying and the Yang Edwin's in the maintenance side of things ionia's in the production side of things her strengths are not necessarily his strengths and vice versa they're very sympatico they spend quiet time together through the course of the work day when they're on the floor together it's all business Edwin is the mechanic and she directs him and she's very direct but it works for them is it almost time for lunch uh 1:00 1:00 what do you bring for lunch usually today I got steak oh rice nice and planting sounds delicious you're welcome to Pro try our food so only you a oh thank you oh oh nice I love the juice who asked who out first like who asked who out for a date my friend was his friend and they and they said let's go out together I was like you said no why cuz I have two kids I started working here when my youngest one 10 months and I was by myself with my kids it wasn't easy very hard but there was an angel I said he was an angel because there was an old man working here he find out what I was going through and every Friday morning he will knock on my door ring the bell with $60 so I can feed my kids like a year after that he passed because he got sick and it passed but I never never forget it's not the kind of person you would forgive no never after that I met Edwin and our life changed our life changed this is our first day with the kids like how many years ago like 30 years ago hey look at that handsome guy I remember when he came here he has that black hair I was like Wow and he was so quiet quiet he never talked to anybody he was quiet my daughter she make a book putting all the pictures that we were by ourself and then when he came alone to our life our kids they were never alone they were all together oh my God bring a lot of good memories look at this hi Mom hi Ed how are you I'm good how you doing I'm good I left the food on the store for you oh I see the food okay I'll have that before I go to work yes what do you feel like your parents taught you about having a good work ethic it isn't necessarily about what they taught me but what they showed me the passion that they have for the people that they work with as well it's not just them wanting to do good but they want everyone else to do good as well that helps me a lot in my future today cuz I like to help other people they don't look out only for themselves they always look out for another person you and Edward seem like amazing parents I'll be honest thank you thank you so much we did our best to give our kids a future and not only my my family look at those kids I talk to the same way that as I talk to my kids I talk to them they're young they came here to do a job they need to know that they're not alone in this country that my first party of the day oh you don't tried before no oh I've had a lot of Smarties but this is my first smarty of today so as the smarties come out some of them get stuck Edwin is there making sure that they keep filtering down instead of just getting stuck in this little disc imagine the whole life 35 years here I never thought that I was going to make it sometimes you fear to fail to fail your kids to fail you partnered to fail the people who looking at you as a role model oh it works now you fixed it well thank God that we around the corner it's three of five it's time to go home we don't need anything else we have our family we're blessed we got four beautiful children we have everythingwow oh wow wow wow wow woo it is 5:30 in the morning and it is really really cold looks like we're in the right place good morning morning it's cold oh I kind of broke it hairnet how do I look legit we are in Union New Jersey at the Smarties candy factory so much candy which interestingly enough I have actually eaten a lot of in my childhood candy necklace how many of these did I wear and we are here to meet Ionia who has been working here for many many many decades I grew up obsessed with candy I loved this one show where they would go inside different candy factories I just love the whole process obviously that process has gotten super automated but there are still humans behind it and I wanted to see the humans responsible hi IIA all right hi how you doing what are you working on every morning we do paperwork we check to make sure everything is running in place and you're going to show me the ropes by the end of the day I'll be able to make Smarties Myself eat them my name is Estonia Sano I work here for 35 years almost 36 19 years as a lead person we usually come in the morning and then start all the machines then I do all my paperwork by the time people get here I put everybody to work okay thank you do you think that you are a good leader I can't get better I always try to get better I teach everybody anything that you need if you did it wrong if you don't know how to do it if you think that you're not going to make it anything you would let me know I will help you what is the most challenging part of your job being a lead person guess a woman I'm the only woman here as a lead do you feel like you get the same respect as the male leaders I make sure that they will hi Sonia does it just feel like you're working every day at Willy Wonka yes I love that movie here is where the mag start wo it smells like a child's birthday party in here right right right right we have all the colors every time that he mixes some colors he goes through the computer this is the mixer everything got mixed oh wow okay then they have mixed in there all the ingredients go the color goes through the pipes oh my God everything got into here wow and this is a com in the candy goes up and over the rapping room the Cy come this way right got all the flavors they pipe in they mix they go up to the invader and then from there they goes through each machine and they all go into the big Hoppers where they mix together oh my God this is so cool the machine sorts and organizes them like they're coins in a slot and then they get wrapped when it gets full that big bucket it's transferred with a forklift to this machine whoo whoo whoo I feel like I'm actually okay at this job what was your first day like the beginning was hard everything has a number here everything has to be in place so you have to learn all that and you cannot make a mistake to put this item in this box because it doesn't belong and I used to cry I said I had to learn by the end of the week top two weeks I will learn all the machines and then I did but not by myself people help me out I work with my husband Edwin he's a mechanic all right a look who it is hi Edwin hello how's it going very good how often do you come and visit him here a lot a lot a do you ever come just to say hi yes I do talk to him about our kids about the house or whatever and then I go back to my work and to me it help meot that he's there with his knowledge I learn more can you fix any machine every machine I consider myself a lucky person because having him as my my right hands it's Priceless down go the mechanic it still going down he did you see anything right he just started the machine not even one person is a team group it requires a lot of good people that you know that you're the best warm warm candy it's 9:45 in the morning we've basically been in every single room in the factory I think what I'm most amazed at here is like yes this is a candy factory but it's very calm Ionia sets a very chill non frenetic energy around here also she and Edwin are so freaking cute as a couple I'm as entranced by her professionally as I am of their relationship the two of them are sort of like king and queen of this Castle he makes sure the machines work she makes sure the people are happy who make the machines work it's the ying and the Yang Edwin's in the maintenance side of things ionia's in the production side of things her strengths are not necessarily his strengths and vice versa they're very sympatico they spend quiet time together through the course of the work day when they're on the floor together it's all business Edwin is the mechanic and she directs him and she's very direct but it works for them is it almost time for lunch uh 1:00 1:00 what do you bring for lunch usually today I got steak oh rice nice and planting sounds delicious you're welcome to Pro try our food so only you a oh thank you oh oh nice I love the juice who asked who out first like who asked who out for a date my friend was his friend and they and they said let's go out together I was like you said no why cuz I have two kids I started working here when my youngest one 10 months and I was by myself with my kids it wasn't easy very hard but there was an angel I said he was an angel because there was an old man working here he find out what I was going through and every Friday morning he will knock on my door ring the bell with $60 so I can feed my kids like a year after that he passed because he got sick and it passed but I never never forget it's not the kind of person you would forgive no never after that I met Edwin and our life changed our life changed this is our first day with the kids like how many years ago like 30 years ago hey look at that handsome guy I remember when he came here he has that black hair I was like Wow and he was so quiet quiet he never talked to anybody he was quiet my daughter she make a book putting all the pictures that we were by ourself and then when he came alone to our life our kids they were never alone they were all together oh my God bring a lot of good memories look at this hi Mom hi Ed how are you I'm good how you doing I'm good I left the food on the store for you oh I see the food okay I'll have that before I go to work yes what do you feel like your parents taught you about having a good work ethic it isn't necessarily about what they taught me but what they showed me the passion that they have for the people that they work with as well it's not just them wanting to do good but they want everyone else to do good as well that helps me a lot in my future today cuz I like to help other people they don't look out only for themselves they always look out for another person you and Edward seem like amazing parents I'll be honest thank you thank you so much we did our best to give our kids a future and not only my my family look at those kids I talk to the same way that as I talk to my kids I talk to them they're young they came here to do a job they need to know that they're not alone in this country that my first party of the day oh you don't tried before no oh I've had a lot of Smarties but this is my first smarty of today so as the smarties come out some of them get stuck Edwin is there making sure that they keep filtering down instead of just getting stuck in this little disc imagine the whole life 35 years here I never thought that I was going to make it sometimes you fear to fail to fail your kids to fail you partnered to fail the people who looking at you as a role model oh it works now you fixed it well thank God that we around the corner it's three of five it's time to go home we don't need anything else we have our family we're blessed we got four beautiful children we have everythingwow oh wow wow wow wow woo it is 5:30 in the morning and it is really really cold looks like we're in the right place good morning morning it's cold oh I kind of broke it hairnet how do I look legit we are in Union New Jersey at the Smarties candy factory so much candy which interestingly enough I have actually eaten a lot of in my childhood candy necklace how many of these did I wear and we are here to meet Ionia who has been working here for many many many decades I grew up obsessed with candy I loved this one show where they would go inside different candy factories I just love the whole process obviously that process has gotten super automated but there are still humans behind it and I wanted to see the humans responsible hi IIA all right hi how you doing what are you working on every morning we do paperwork we check to make sure everything is running in place and you're going to show me the ropes by the end of the day I'll be able to make Smarties Myself eat them my name is Estonia Sano I work here for 35 years almost 36 19 years as a lead person we usually come in the morning and then start all the machines then I do all my paperwork by the time people get here I put everybody to work okay thank you do you think that you are a good leader I can't get better I always try to get better I teach everybody anything that you need if you did it wrong if you don't know how to do it if you think that you're not going to make it anything you would let me know I will help you what is the most challenging part of your job being a lead person guess a woman I'm the only woman here as a lead do you feel like you get the same respect as the male leaders I make sure that they will hi Sonia does it just feel like you're working every day at Willy Wonka yes I love that movie here is where the mag start wo it smells like a child's birthday party in here right right right right we have all the colors every time that he mixes some colors he goes through the computer this is the mixer everything got mixed oh wow okay then they have mixed in there all the ingredients go the color goes through the pipes oh my God everything got into here wow and this is a com in the candy goes up and over the rapping room the Cy come this way right got all the flavors they pipe in they mix they go up to the invader and then from there they goes through each machine and they all go into the big Hoppers where they mix together oh my God this is so cool the machine sorts and organizes them like they're coins in a slot and then they get wrapped when it gets full that big bucket it's transferred with a forklift to this machine whoo whoo whoo I feel like I'm actually okay at this job what was your first day like the beginning was hard everything has a number here everything has to be in place so you have to learn all that and you cannot make a mistake to put this item in this box because it doesn't belong and I used to cry I said I had to learn by the end of the week top two weeks I will learn all the machines and then I did but not by myself people help me out I work with my husband Edwin he's a mechanic all right a look who it is hi Edwin hello how's it going very good how often do you come and visit him here a lot a lot a do you ever come just to say hi yes I do talk to him about our kids about the house or whatever and then I go back to my work and to me it help meot that he's there with his knowledge I learn more can you fix any machine every machine I consider myself a lucky person because having him as my my right hands it's Priceless down go the mechanic it still going down he did you see anything right he just started the machine not even one person is a team group it requires a lot of good people that you know that you're the best warm warm candy it's 9:45 in the morning we've basically been in every single room in the factory I think what I'm most amazed at here is like yes this is a candy factory but it's very calm Ionia sets a very chill non frenetic energy around here also she and Edwin are so freaking cute as a couple I'm as entranced by her professionally as I am of their relationship the two of them are sort of like king and queen of this Castle he makes sure the machines work she makes sure the people are happy who make the machines work it's the ying and the Yang Edwin's in the maintenance side of things ionia's in the production side of things her strengths are not necessarily his strengths and vice versa they're very sympatico they spend quiet time together through the course of the work day when they're on the floor together it's all business Edwin is the mechanic and she directs him and she's very direct but it works for them is it almost time for lunch uh 1:00 1:00 what do you bring for lunch usually today I got steak oh rice nice and planting sounds delicious you're welcome to Pro try our food so only you a oh thank you oh oh nice I love the juice who asked who out first like who asked who out for a date my friend was his friend and they and they said let's go out together I was like you said no why cuz I have two kids I started working here when my youngest one 10 months and I was by myself with my kids it wasn't easy very hard but there was an angel I said he was an angel because there was an old man working here he find out what I was going through and every Friday morning he will knock on my door ring the bell with $60 so I can feed my kids like a year after that he passed because he got sick and it passed but I never never forget it's not the kind of person you would forgive no never after that I met Edwin and our life changed our life changed this is our first day with the kids like how many years ago like 30 years ago hey look at that handsome guy I remember when he came here he has that black hair I was like Wow and he was so quiet quiet he never talked to anybody he was quiet my daughter she make a book putting all the pictures that we were by ourself and then when he came alone to our life our kids they were never alone they were all together oh my God bring a lot of good memories look at this hi Mom hi Ed how are you I'm good how you doing I'm good I left the food on the store for you oh I see the food okay I'll have that before I go to work yes what do you feel like your parents taught you about having a good work ethic it isn't necessarily about what they taught me but what they showed me the passion that they have for the people that they work with as well it's not just them wanting to do good but they want everyone else to do good as well that helps me a lot in my future today cuz I like to help other people they don't look out only for themselves they always look out for another person you and Edward seem like amazing parents I'll be honest thank you thank you so much we did our best to give our kids a future and not only my my family look at those kids I talk to the same way that as I talk to my kids I talk to them they're young they came here to do a job they need to know that they're not alone in this country that my first party of the day oh you don't tried before no oh I've had a lot of Smarties but this is my first smarty of today so as the smarties come out some of them get stuck Edwin is there making sure that they keep filtering down instead of just getting stuck in this little disc imagine the whole life 35 years here I never thought that I was going to make it sometimes you fear to fail to fail your kids to fail you partnered to fail the people who looking at you as a role model oh it works now you fixed it well thank God that we around the corner it's three of five it's time to go home we don't need anything else we have our family we're blessed we got four beautiful children we have everything\n"