I thought I was helping a sharp-tongued customer pick a gift for her son’s girlfriend. But our clash became deeply personal when she came to dinner as my BF’s mother.
The morning light painted the shop windows in soft, golden hues, catching on the frost that had crept up overnight. Inside, the air was warm and rich with the scent of cinnamon and pine. The shelves sparkled with handcrafted treasures—delicate ornaments, carved wooden toys, and intricately decorated candles.
Every day, I sold gifts or helped people choose the perfect present to light up a loved one’s face. People often wandered by, peering through the glass, and their smiles gave me a small rush of pride.
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The familiar chime of the doorbell broke my thoughts. I turned, expecting another friendly face.
The woman’s heels clicked sharply against the wooden floor as she entered, her every movement deliberate, as if choreographed. Her jewelry glittered in a way that felt more commanding than beautiful.
“Good morning,” I offered with my usual warmth.
She barely nodded, her lips forming a polite but strained smile. “I’m looking for a gift. For my son’s girlfriend. We’re meeting tomorrow.”
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“Of course,” I replied, gesturing to a nearby shelf. “We have some lovely…”
“Not those.” She waved a manicured hand dismissively before I could finish. “Too rustic.”
I blinked but kept my tone steady. “How about this?” I reached for a hand-painted jewelry box. “It’s handmade, and the details…”
“Too expensive,” she said sharply, cutting me off again. “For someone who hasn’t yet proven herself worthy? I don’t think so.”
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The comment stung more than it should have, but I masked it with a small nod.
“Perhaps a scarf then?” I suggested, holding up a soft woolen one. “It’s practical and elegant…”
“Not her style,” she said, her voice tinged with impatience. Her eyes flicked over me briefly as if she were assessing more than just the shop. “Is this all you have? I thought these little places were supposed to be unique.”
“Every item here is chosen with care,” I said evenly. “I’m sure we can find something.”
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She sighed, glancing at her watch.
“I’ll come back later, maybe,” she muttered, though the dismissal in her tone made it clear she wouldn’t.
Without another word, she left, the door shutting behind her with a definitive jingle.
The joy that had filled the shop earlier seemed to dim. I had dealt with difficult customers before. But something about that woman left a sour taste in my mouth.
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***
The next evening, I smoothed the front of my dress, checking my reflection one last time. That night was supposed to be a quiet dinner with my boyfriend Ethan, a chance to unwind after a long week.
As we arrived at the candlelit bistro, Ethan leaned in and whispered, “Oh, by the way, my Mom, Margaret, is joining us. She’s excited to meet you.”
My panic prickled at the edges. “What?”
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“She’s already here,” Ethan said, gesturing toward the corner. “I didn’t tell you earlier because I didn’t want you to overthink it. Relax, she’s going to love you. Trust me.”
I managed a tight smile, but my nerves coiled tighter with every step. When we reached the table, my heart sank completely.
Margaret. It was her! The woman from the shop. Her sharp gaze met mine, and I saw a flicker of recognition before she quickly masked it with a polite smile.
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“Mom, this is Grace,” Ethan said warmly. “Grace, my mom, Margaret.”
“Hello,” I said, extending my hand. Her grip was firm but brief, her polished nails catching the low light.
“Grace,” she repeated, her tone neutral, “Ethan’s mentioned you. It’s nice to put a face to the name.”
As we sat down, Margaret immediately took charge of the conversation, her voice smooth and authoritative.
“Ethan, did I tell you about the holiday charity gala coming up?” Margaret began, her eyes sparkling with the kind of enthusiasm that came naturally when she spoke about herself.
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“That’s incredible, Mom,” Ethan said, glancing at me with a smile. “She’s always got so much going on. Isn’t that impressive, Grace? Mom’s pretty amazing at juggling it all.”
“It sounds like a lot of work,” I said politely, though Margaret’s focus was already elsewhere.
“Oh, it is. The guest list alone has been a nightmare. Such a headache, but what can you do? These events practically run on connections.”
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Ethan didn’t miss a beat, turning the conversation back toward me. “You know, Grace has been really busy too. She’s incredible at helping people find the perfect gifts.”
Margaret’s lips curled into a faintly amused smile. “Well, that’s certainly a skill. Perhaps something to chat about another time.”
Ethan squeezed my hand briefly under the table, offering silent reassurance, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. When Ethan left to pay the bill, Margaret turned to me, her polite mask slipping.
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“I’m going to be honest,” she began. “You seem nice, but I don’t see you fitting into Ethan’s life long-term. He needs someone who can complement his ambitions. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I swallowed hard, willing myself not to react. There was no point in arguing.
Instead, I met her gaze and nodded politely. Ethan returned moments later, oblivious to the tension, and I plastered on a smile, wishing desperately for the night to end.
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***
A few days later, I was surprised to find an envelope slipped under my apartment door. Inside was an invitation to Margaret’s charity fair, accompanied by a neatly written note:
Grace, it would be helpful if you could come by a day early to assist with preparations. Margaret.
I stared at it for a long moment, unsure what to make of the gesture. Was this an olive branch, or just another test? Ethan, of course, saw it as a positive sign.
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“It’s a great opportunity for her to see how amazing you are,” he said, his eyes filled with encouragement. “Just be yourself. She’ll come around.”
I wasn’t so convinced, but I agreed to go. If nothing else, I thought, it was a chance to support Ethan.
***
When I arrived the next day, the venue was buzzing with activity, though “chaotic” might have been a better word. People in sleek coats and bright scarves darted around, shouting instructions or carrying decorations.
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Margaret stood in the center, directing it all like a conductor of an unruly orchestra. “Grace, you’re here. There’s plenty to do.”
She gestured toward a table where two women sat sipping champagne, surrounded by half-unpacked boxes of decorations. They didn’t notice the glitter they were spilling onto the white tablecloths.
“Start with the tables, will you? My friends, Linda and Carol, will help you.” Margaret said, barely glancing at me. “The spills are a disaster, and that glitter is everywhere. It needs to look perfect for tomorrow.”
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As I grabbed a cloth to clean up the mess, Linda glanced at me with a smirk.
“Oh, bless you for doing this. Margaret’s got such a keen eye. Everything has to be just so,” she said, giggling as she clinked glasses with Carol.
I swallowed my pride and focused on the work. No matter how deliberate that felt, I reminded myself I was there for Ethan and the cause.
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The evening dragged on, and Margaret’s usual poise began to crack. Her phone rang, and she answered it briskly. But suddenly, she lowered the phone, her face pale and tense.
“What’s wrong?” Linda asked, noticing Margaret’s unusual stillness.
Margaret sank onto a nearby sofa, pressing her fingers to her temples.
“The Christmas souvenirs… They’ve been delayed. There’s nothing to sell tomorrow.”
Panic rippled through the room. For the first time, I saw Margaret’s armor falter.
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I hesitated, then stepped forward. “I can help.”
“Help? How? You can’t just fix this, Grace.” Her words were biting, but I could hear the fear beneath them.
“I’ll figure something out,” I replied, keeping my voice steady.
Her doubt stung, but I didn’t let it deter me. Something had to be done, and I knew I could do it.
***
That night, the shop door creaked softly as I pushed it open. I stood still for a moment, taking it all in—the shelves lined with ornaments that glittered faintly in the dim light, the delicate figurines arranged just so, and the jars of sweets stacked in neat rows.
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I rolled up my sleeves and began to work, carefully packing the ornaments and arranging them in sturdy boxes. The figurines followed—tiny angels, snowmen, and reindeer, each wrapped in tissue paper to protect their fragile beauty. The sweets in bright wrappers went last.
Hours passed, but I didn’t feel the time. When I finished, the shop looked bare, but my heart felt full. Ethan arrived just as I sealed the last box.
“Grace, are you sure about this?” he asked, gesturing to the stack of boxes. “This is a lot to give.”
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“It’s what needs to be done,” I said simply, brushing my hair back from my face.
“How can you take all of this without the owner’s permission?”
“Ethan, I am the owner. I’ve been the shopkeeper, the accountant, the cleaner—everything. This shop is mine. I’ve kept it to myself because it’s my sanctuary corner of magic. I didn’t want to share it until I was ready.”
“You’ve been running this place all on your own? That’s incredible, Grace.”
Together, we loaded the car and drove to the venue. By morning, the shop’s treasures adorned the tables, their sparkle transforming the chaotic space into something truly magical.
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***
The following morning, guests wandered through, admiring the ornaments and figurines, their smiles proof that the effort had been worth it.
Margaret approached me just as the last of the guests were leaving, her expression thoughtful and her tone uncharacteristically soft.
“Grace,” she began. “I owe you an apology.”
“There’s no need…”
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“No, let me finish,” she said firmly. “I misjudged you from the start. When Ethan first mentioned you, I assumed… well, I assumed wrong. What you did tonight, saving the charity fair like that, was extraordinary. And you didn’t even hesitate.”
Her eyes glistened, though she quickly looked away as if to hide it. “I insist on paying for every single souvenir you brought. It’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you, Margaret.”
“I’d like you to spend Christmas with us. Here. As a family.”
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I hesitated, unsure if she meant it, but the sincerity in her expression was undeniable.
“I’d love that,” I said finally.
That evening, as we all gathered around the table, Margaret was no longer the stern, unyielding woman I had met in the shop or at dinner.
Ethan caught my eye across the table. That night, he shared how much it meant to him to see his mother open up, to see her finally embracing the people he cared about. It was a Christmas I would never forget.
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After 27 hours, his wife gave birth to a baby girl, and the man received the news that caused him to fall to his knees.
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.
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