When Diane Todd pulled her white Chevy pickup into the driveway of her new home in Ouray, she jumped out of the car and gave her next-door neighbor a hug.

It was the first time they had met, and both were near tears.

She opened her new front door, marveling at its height, and invited Michele England inside.

Todd had texted England that morning, asking her friend to join her.

“I need to make sure it’s real,” the text read.

England handed her a gift: a mug with “OMG” in big bold lettering...