Gwen, and her lovely fiancé Joel Longtine, had been quite the talk of the Twitterverse + Social Media world, ever since their love affair bloomed online for all to see last year.  They embraced it, and continued to celebrate the role that technology has played in their relationship.

I’ll never forget the first conversation I had with Gwen about Joel.  It was June, and Gwen was in town for the Caroline Collective opening party. I could tell she was bursting at the seams to share a bit of information with me, but I couldn’t tell what. When she began talking about Joel, and their initial courtship, I swear I never saw it coming, from the one who I gab with about technology, and business ideas, and social media.  The one who we could talk for hours on the importance of brand, and community, and Mexican food. Never did I expect that the news she was so excited to tell me. was. about. a boy.

This boy, who I would over the next few months, get to know as a caring, loving, intelligent, lovely person. This boy, who had turned this girl on her head, and allowed her to experience true companionship. I watched as a strong partnership was formed. Amidst skeptics, and drama, and naysayers. I watched. As these two friends shared their lives. Online. Offline. Who made their networks of friends and acquaintances a part of their relationship.

On my 30th birthday, Oct 5th, I got a text message: Joel Proposed! It was a wonderful ancillary birthday gift.  And over the next 5 months, I looked on as they planned the celebration of the beginning of their lives together. A day I was so fortunate to be a part of.

So as I traveled to Boulder, a town I once called home, what seems like decades ago, I was ever conscious of the relationship I was in at that time. And how much I have grown as a person. And how these two technology-clad lovers have shown me that love does exist. Even with wires, and no wires, and http’s and twitterstreams, iPhone applications, and custom gmail scripts. At the end of the day it’s still love. And it’s bold.

Other highlights of the trip included spending extra quality time with my Maggie, who will never know how much I adore her.  There’s just not enough words in the world to express that kind of appreciation and gratefulness that she’s my friend. I’m so blessed to have her in my life.

Hanging out with the phenomenal photographer (more about Holly’s talent later), and amazing friend, Holly Hoyt and her sweet hubby Matt, as the four of us drove into Estes Park and visited Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a BLAST and I’ll never forget that trip because of it. More pics from that excursion here. Including Maggie’s snow angel. In jeans. and no gloves. Bravery and stupidity share a dotted line.

Urban Pearl Hair Salon

Got to hang with the Kirtsy Girls twice in 2 weeks which was a rare treat!  And our adorable house that we rented right off Pearl Street was perfect for some girl time.

Thanks to Denver folks Amy Greeblemonkey Giese + Jeffrey Larrimore who kept us entertained and escorted.

Was in heaven for few hours at Ten 20 Nail Salon with unlimited Diet Cokes, M&Ms, and Sex & the City episodes.  And watched as Gwen got her hair did at the hip and quaint Urban Pearl.

It was the perfect wind down to the crazy months leading up to Mom 2.0 Summit.

A much needed rest and relaxation, before the impending changes that were about to occur in my life.

It’s a trip I’ll never forget. More pics from the festitivites here.