Jenna has been present for all of Eliza's life, and has been the truest friend all along. They spent most of their childhood living three doors away from each other, playing with their dolls and using their wild imaginations. Jenna was a regular guest on Dodd family vacations. Having enjoyed a stint living in NYC after college, she moved back to Montpelier about six months before Eliza did. She paved the way for a smooth transition. She lives with her husband Alex and their dog OD in their beautiful house in Montpelier. Jenna & Alex are expecting Baby Bravakis in late September!
Cayla came into Eliza's life during pre-season soccer training at the beginning of high school. They enjoyed many an adventure together in high school including sharing their mediocre soccer, acting and singing skills. Pretty much any activity between them involves gasping laughter. Cayla is a wonderful artist and is currently living in Mumbai, India with her husband JJ as a Fulbright fellow.
Molly was a coworker of Brett's at Black Tie in Steamboat. Brett and Molly became fast friends, and Brett instantly knew that she would be a perfect match for Eliza. He proceeded to encourage their friendship. Together Molly and Eliza tested their skills on tricky ski terrain, danced at concerts, and rode their bikes. While their adventures are currently shared via email and phone calls, they have remained close friends. Brett describes Molly as "the happiest person I know."
Kat entered Eliza's life as a counselor at Aloha Camp. She jumped right in to a tight-knit camp culture and found a place for herself. They enjoyed working together at camp for a couple of summers, and later found themselves both living in Colorado. They enjoyed fun red rocks concerts, ski days, and hikes together. Kat continues to live in Denver and enjoys the city-mountain culture hybrid.
Brad is Brett's younger bigger brother and a great friend. Brett and Brad's relationship really developed after Brad got out of high school in '05. They have embarked on several cross country road trips together. They were wranglers at Vista Verde Ranch outside of Steamboat Springs together, where they went on great hikes, campouts, horse rides, and enjoyed fun nights. For the summer of 2010, they shared a house in Bremen where they grew up, and Brad was Brett's boss at JF New, a habitat restoration company. Brad lives with his wife, Brittany, in Indiana. Brad has recently started his own environmental restoration company, and is very busy lining up new jobs.
Brad is Brett's younger bigger brother and a great friend. Brett and Brad's relationship really developed after Brad got out of high school in '05. They have embarked on several cross country road trips together. They were wranglers at Vista Verde Ranch outside of Steamboat Springs together, where they went on great hikes, campouts, horse rides, and enjoyed fun nights. For the summer of 2010, they shared a house in Bremen where they grew up, and Brad was Brett's boss at JF New, a habitat restoration company. Brad lives with his wife, Brittany, in Indiana. Brad has recently started his own environmental restoration company, and is very busy lining up new jobs.
Chico (aka Valente Valdez Jr.) and Brett go clear back to kindergarden, where Brett first remembers Chico as the boy who vomited of chicken noodle soup all over the gymnasium floor on the first day of school. During the summers in college, Brett and Chico were work out and running partners, and when time allowed they would spend the weekends with their buddy Michael Stoller and his family at Lake Wawasee in Indiana. Since the days when they were living in the same town, or within a short drive of each other, they have kept in touch pretty regularly over the phone. Now Chico has been married to Nicole for just over 5 years, and has his hands full with their little man, Roman. Brett and Chico have been through many ups and downs, but no matter what they are always there with an open ear and words of wisdom for each other.
Brett (Schmeltz) grew up in the same small town in Indiana as Brett, but it wasn't until they attended the Indiana University together that they became good friends. Years later, a job opened up at Brett's company in Colorado and he encouraged Brett S. to apply. Later that summer, the two became coworkers. Eliza and Brett brought Brett S. right into the Steamboat culture with frequent hikes, free concerts, ski days and celebrations. Though he is still quite upset with Eliza & Brett for leaving Steamboat for Vermont, he enjoys his life in Steamboat.
Alex is the aforementioned husband of Eliza's oldest friend Jenna. He and Brett hit it off in 2008 on a ski trip to visit Eliza and Brett in Colorado, and the girls were quite relieved to see an immediate friendship form between the two. Years later when they both found themselves living in Montpelier, they quickly became great friends. They enjoy mountain biking, backcountry skiing, gardening, and hanging out with their dogs together.
