This is a love story that is equally lovely and painful. When they first met, fell in love, and had a kid, Liz passed away in childbirth. Matt’s actions following her passing were really inspiring.
High school students Liz Goodman and Matt Logelin first crossed paths at a gas station one sunny afternoon. Both of them were raised in Minnetonka, Minnesota, but their chance encounter marked the beginning of a real love story.
Senior year of high school was when Liz and Matt met. Fireworks sparked when she walked up to Matt after he caught her eye; the two became inseparable… up till the start of college.
As graduation drew near, the high school sweethearts had to face the fact that they were attending colleges in different parts of the country! In contrast to Matt, who remained at the University of Minnesota, Liz was traveling to California.
For this couple, who persisted and stuck together throughout their studies, the distance was nothing. Matt continued on to get his master’s degree at Loyola University of Chicago. He was contemplating getting a Ph.D. when he realized he needed to follow his heart and not his mind.
Matt was aware that he could no longer stand to be so far from his love. In order to be with Liz, he moved halfway across the nation to Los Angeles in 2005, packing his stuff.
From then on, the two proceeded to enjoy their lives to the utmost. While traveling, Liz and Matt explored new places, made memories, and deepened their understanding of one another and the world they lived in. It was just a matter of time until Matt realized that this was it and got down on one knee in Nepal to ask Liz to marry him.
In front of their friends and family, they exchanged vows to love one another forever on August 13, 2005. Seeing these lovers grab life and their love by the horns was exhilarating. For the young couple, everything seems to be going great.
They were not just happier than ever in their romantic relationships, but also in their professional lives. Liz worked as a financial professional at Disney, while Matt was a project manager at Yahoo! in California. The two decided to buy a house jointly to take advantage of their newly discovered financial security. From then, everything just got better.
After two years of marriage in 2007, the couple decided to grow their family, and they were thrilled to find out Liz was carrying their first child!
Since many of Liz and Matt’s friends and family members reside in Minnesota, they were unable to accompany them on their amazing journey to parenthood. The soon-to-be parents made the decision to take action and launched a blog to inform their loved ones of Liz’s pregnancy progress.
The journey appeared bright and joyful for the happy couple as they anticipated their first child, but Liz had a tough pregnancy. The doctors advised her to spend a few weeks in bed since she had excruciating morning sickness.
Matt kept a close eye on her since he was anxious about his wife carrying his child. It was distressing to see Liz, who is often active and energetic, confined to her bed. After that, she was taken to the hospital and told to stay in bed for a few more weeks. Matt monitored their newly launched blog about being pregnant throughout the entire incident. He had no clue what he would soon publish on that specific website.
Since Liz’s pregnancy was considered high risk, she was brought to the delivery room twice, each time at least 7 weeks early owing to false alarms. The doctors kept a careful eye on her since they didn’t want to take any chances.
The baby’s arrival into the world was finally ready. Liz was still two months early, necessitating an urgent C-section. The lives of Matt and Liz Logelin were about to undergo a significant change on March 24, 2008.
The couple welcomed Madeline (Maddy) Logelin into their family after the surgery proceeded without a problem. When she was born, she weighed barely 3 pounds, 14 ounces. Since the new parents were thrilled, Liz only had a brief opportunity to see their beautiful baby girl (photographed). The medical workers hastened to get her to the newborn critical care unit since she was born early.
Due to Liz needing to be kept under observation for a further 24 hours after giving birth, she was unable to hold their daughter straight away. Once everything was through, Liz was prepared and eager to meet her baby girl who was now awake and well. She started to ride in a wheelchair to the ward.
Matt couldn’t wait to have both of his girls in his arms, so he was there to assist his wife in their stroll around the room before they entered the ward. They were about to have the mother-child quality time they had all been looking forward to. Disaster then struck.
When his wife slouched in his arms and muttered, “I feel light-headed,” Matt gently and tenderly helped her into the wheelchair. In an effort to calm Matt, the nurses explained that it was common for women to faint after giving birth.
Matt patiently recalled, “All of a sudden, there’s this ‘code blue,’ and people are running by me.” He broke down in tears. She would never be able to hold her kid since she would pass away in this hospital that day.
Only 27 hours, or slightly more than a day after giving birth to their daughter Madeline, doctors learned that a deadly clot had gone to Liz’s lungs and caused a rare, fatal pulmonary embolism. Liz passed away at the young age of 30, only hours after giving birth to a child, from a fatal embolism. Matt was left a widower one day after becoming a parent.
In only one day, Matt went from feeling on top of the world to fearing for his life. He was devastated. The pregnancy blog was meant to be filled with images of the growing family, but instead, his subsequent essay was only about melancholy.
The first several weeks were the worst Matt had ever experienced. Every Tuesday at exactly 3:11 p.m., his thoughts would return to that fateful moment when his life changed irrevocably because he couldn’t bear to take off his wedding ring. At times, he openly questioned how he would manage in his new life without Liz at his side.
There were challenges in getting back home. There were sour reminders of Liz everywhere Matt turned. When guests asked about the baby’s mother, Matt would frank and openly reply, “She passed on the day after the kid was born,”. Even leaving the house was tough.
The only consolation Matt felt in those early days as a widower was the knowledge that his young daughter needed him and the notion that a portion of his cherished wife lived on in Madeline.
Matt was determined that he would give his daughter the finest upbringing possible despite his sadness. He’s seeking for a way to express his feelings of dread and anguish. He started posting on a parenting discussion board hosted by his hometown newspaper, The Minnesota Star Tribune. But it didn’t end there.
Maddy Logelin turned 10 years old on March 24th, 2018. Ten years had passed since her mother Liz’s terrible death at the same anniversary. Her father, family, and friends have done all in their can to encircle her with love and happiness despite her horrific history.
Matt has made his blog’s details more private as Maddy has aged. The instant Madeline shouts “stop,” it is over. “The plug will be pulled,” he would always guarantee. Over the years, Maddy has learned about her mother via stories and pictures, and her interest in her has only increased.
One day she naively questioned, “Daddy, did you grasp my mommy’s hand when she died?” She frequently asks her father questions about the activities he and her late mother used to do
Despite his best efforts to be honest and explain things to his little daughter, Matt remarked, “What I said will never take away what happened that day.” After the talk, Maddy remarked, “Daddy, I love you,” which Matt later said she understood precisely what he needed to hear. I also love you, Maddy,” he said.
Didn’t realize like this
Eggs are a kitchen staple—versatile, nutritious, and packed with protein. But what happens when you notice your egg carton has passed its expiration date? Can you still use them, or is it time to toss them out?
This is a common household dilemma, often leading to debates over food safety, expiration dates, and storage methods. Some people insist that expired eggs should never be eaten, while others claim they are safe weeks beyond the date.
So, what’s the truth? Let’s crack open the facts and settle this debate once and for all.
Understanding Egg Expiration Dates
One of the biggest sources of confusion is the expiration date printed on egg cartons. Many consumers assume that once this date has passed, the eggs are automatically bad or unsafe to eat. But that’s not entirely accurate.
Egg cartons typically have one of the following labels:
✔️ Sell-By Date – A guideline for retailers, indicating how long eggs should be displayed for sale. Eggs are still safe to eat beyond this date if stored properly.
✔️ Expiration Date (EXP) – This is the suggested last date for using the eggs, but not a strict safety deadline. Many eggs remain fresh for weeks past this date.
✔️ Pack Date (Julian Date) – A three-digit code that represents the day of the year the eggs were packed. For example, “001” means January 1st, while “365” means December 31st. Eggs can often remain good for four to five weeks after this date.
So, does an expired date automatically mean bad eggs? Not necessarily. The key lies in how eggs are stored and tested for freshness.
Video : How Long Can Eggs Really Last?
How to Determine If Eggs Are Still Safe to Eat
Instead of relying solely on expiration dates, use simple and reliable tests to determine egg freshness.
1. The Float Test (Most Popular Method)
The float test is an easy and effective way to check an egg’s freshness. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Fill a bowl with cold water.
2️⃣ Gently place the egg into the water.
3️⃣ Observe the results:
- Fresh eggs sink and lay flat on the bottom.
- Slightly older eggs stand upright but remain at the bottom.
- Spoiled eggs float to the top and should be discarded.
Why does this work? Over time, air enters the egg through its porous shell, causing it to become more buoyant. Floating means there’s too much air inside, signaling that the egg is no longer fresh.
2. The Sniff Test
Crack the egg open and give it a quick sniff. If you notice a strong sulfur-like or rotten smell, the egg is bad and should not be eaten. Fresh eggs have a mild or neutral scent.
3. The Visual Test
Look at the egg’s:
✔️ Egg white: A fresh egg has a thick, slightly cloudy egg white. A watery or runny white suggests it’s older but still safe.
✔️ Yolk: A bright yellow or orange yolk is a good sign, while a flattened yolk can indicate age.
✔️ Unusual discoloration: If you see dark spots, mold, or pinkish hues, throw the egg away immediately.
The Science Behind Egg Freshness
What makes eggs go bad over time? The answer lies in their natural structure and storage conditions.
- Eggshells are porous, meaning air and moisture can pass through over time. This process accelerates if eggs are not stored properly.
- Carbon dioxide and moisture loss cause eggs to become less dense, affecting their texture and taste.
- Refrigeration slows bacterial growth, keeping eggs fresh for much longer.
If eggs are kept in the refrigerator, they can stay safe to eat for up to 4-5 weeks after the pack date. However, eggs stored at room temperature spoil much faster.
Common Misconceptions About Expired Eggs
❌ “Eggs become unsafe the moment they expire.”
✅ Not true! If stored correctly, eggs remain good for weeks past their expiration date.
❌ “If an egg has a runny white, it’s bad.”
✅ Not necessarily. A runny egg white means the egg is older, but it can still be safe to eat if there are no bad smells or discoloration.
❌ “You can’t eat raw eggs if they’re past the expiration date.”
✅ While fresh eggs are best for raw consumption, properly stored eggs past their expiration date can still be used for baking and cooking as long as they pass the freshness tests.
Video : Staying Fresh: Understanding Egg Expiration
Health Risks of Eating Spoiled Eggs
While most expired eggs are still safe, consuming truly rotten eggs can pose health risks. Spoiled eggs may contain bacteria like Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning.
⚠️ Symptoms of food poisoning from bad eggs include:
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
If you suspect an egg is spoiled, it’s better to be safe than sorry—throw it out.
Practical Tips for Storing Eggs Safely
To extend the shelf life of eggs and keep them fresh longer, follow these storage tips:
✔️ Store eggs in the refrigerator – Keep them at or below 40°F (4°C) to slow bacteria growth.
✔️ Keep them in their original carton – This prevents moisture loss and protects eggs from absorbing strong odors.
✔️ Avoid storing eggs on the fridge door – The temperature fluctuates every time the door is opened. Instead, keep them on a middle shelf where the temperature is more stable.
✔️ Wash eggs only before using them – Washing eggs can remove their protective coating, making them more vulnerable to contamination.
✔️ Use older eggs for baking and cooking – If your eggs are past their expiration date but still pass the float and sniff tests, use them for scrambled eggs, baking, or boiling instead of eating them raw.
Resolving Disagreements Over Expired Eggs
If you and your partner or family members disagree about eating expired eggs, here’s how to handle it:
✔️ Communicate openly – Discuss concerns and agree on a testing method (like the float test) before making a decision.
✔️ Compromise – If one person is uncomfortable with using older eggs, use them for non-direct consumption (baking, frying at high heat, etc.).
✔️ Rely on expert recommendations – Food safety experts emphasize sensory tests over printed dates.
Final Thoughts: Are Expired Eggs Safe to Eat?
Egg expiration dates can be misleading, but understanding how to check for freshness can prevent unnecessary waste. While eggs do not instantly spoil after the expiration date, proper storage and freshness tests are essential for safe consumption.
Next time you find yourself debating whether to eat or toss expired eggs, remember: a simple float or sniff test is all you need to make the right decision!
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