Martin S. Lerman/Gazette Betsy Gartrell-Judd sits at her home office where she publishes her epregnancy.com, a motherhood Web magazine. She will be appearing on Life Moments at noon Wednesday on NBC Channel 4. Know Your Neighbor Name: Betsy Gartrell-Judd Age: 34 Claim to fame: Co-founder and co-editor of epregnancy.com Passions: Writing, motherhood, and family Life Moments will be broadcast Wednesday at noon on NBC channel 4.

Betsy Gartrell-Judd has a story to tell.

It involves one great friend, one big business, and one heck of a lucky day.

More than six years ago, Betsy wandered upon a woman on the Internet. They were both expecting babies in March 1996. A mutual interest drew them together. The interest became a fascination.

Before long, the two were talking daily through e-mails, phone calls, and instant messages.

Coincidentally, their babies were born on the same day. The two women were very similar -- they both loved to write, both wanted to work from home, and both were fascinated with pregnancy.

Three variables screaming for some action.

The result?

Myria.com -- a Web site dedicated to life as a mother. And so it all began.

The site was launched by the two women in 1998, followed by a page devoted entirely to pregnancy the following year -- epregnancy.com.

The new site gained such widespread popularity that the two women were approached by Utah-based publishers, Majestic Media, to launch a magazine, or as Betsy called it, the "Cosmo of all pregnancy magazines."

So Betsy and business partner, Nancy Price, began a professional relationship which quickly blossomed into something more.

The two were best friends, talking every day for more than four years.

But there was something odd about Betsy and Nancy's relationship. They had never met.

The first time the two met was two months ago in California for the taping of a show to be broadcast on network television.

Was it awkward?

"We knew each other so well that it felt like seeing an old friend from college you haven't seen in years," Betsy said.

The show is "Life Moments" -- a new reality show featuring stories by and about women.

"The angle is to film people experiencing a moment, a crucible moment, in their lives and to capture it as it happens."

The crucial moment for Betsy and Nancy was undoubtedly their initial meeting, after six years as friends, four years as business partners, and a relationship over the Internet.

"We couldn't afford to coordinate going across the country to meet," Betsy said. "It was not practical."

Betsy lived in Chillicothe and Nancy lived in San Francisco, Calif. But despite the obvious setbacks, their friendship flourished. Betsy and Nancy's first meeting just happened to be in front of bright lights and TV cameras. Both women described their experience in the spotlight as distressful.

"We were so nervous," Betsy recalled. "We're just introverted writers, so we were like fish out of water."

The show will be broadcast on Wednesday. Is Betsy nervous? No -- she's terrified.

"The first time I see it will be the first time two and a half million people see it," she said.

That's the price of fame, fame acquired by providing aid and support for expecting mothers everywhere.

"We hope to be there for every stage of the pregnancy," Nancy said. "To give her support and advice, stories and information. There's so much to learn and so much to take in. We want to help people realize there are a lot of options out there."

Because as Betsy noted, being a mother is an overwhelming yet unforgettable experience.

"Being a mother is life changing. It affected my destiny. If I never had kids, I probably wouldn't have a pregnancy magazine. It upgraded every aspect of my life, from career to personal time. The best part about being a mother is to have someone love you unconditionally and love them in return. It's extremely special and humbling."

A humbling experience which resulted in a life Betsy never expected.

Who knew that one lucky day could result in one top magazine?

And not to mention, three great kids.

(Bunch can be reached at 772-9372 or via e-mail at mailto:bbunch@nncogannett.com

Originally published Monday, November 25, 2002