8 minute read
The Poot Family
Sharing Each Other ’s Traditions
by Holly Stupak
Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com
This month we are pleased to introduce you to the Poot family: Melissa, Jeff and their four young children. While pursuing careers in the medical field, Melissa and Jeff had the opportunity to live in several towns across the state of Pennsylvania. But when it came time to choose a forever home to raise a family, they fell in love with Marple.
Jeff grew up with his parents and two brothers in Newark, Delaware. He attended Christiana High School, where he was a member of the school’s yearbook staff. He had grown up close to the University of Delaware and was always impressed by its academic reputation and beautiful campus. So after high school, he chose the University of Delaware to further his education. At first Jeff planned on pursuing a career in technology, but after injuring his hand while working a summer job in construction, he became intrigued by the medical field. He changed majors and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Psychology.
After college he went on to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in 2011 with a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. From there he completed his internship at Crozer Keystone and then his residency at Penn State Hershey. Jeff is currently a radiologist at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, PA. What Jeff enjoys about his career is that it really combines his interests in both technology and medicine.
Meanwhile Melissa grew up in Long Island, New York with her brother and sister. During her years as a high school student in Commack, NY, Melissa played the viola in the orchestra and was very active as a volunteer for the Special Olympics. After high school she went on to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology. Like Jeff, Melissa’s plans were also to become a doctor and she also went on to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. For her residency, Melissa worked at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, PA. Today, she’s an OB/Gyn in a local hospital.
The Poot children (L-R) Benji, Rachel, Cassie and Amelia
Melissa and Jeff had both just started medical school in 2007 when they met. After they kept running into each other on rotations at West Penn hospital, and in 2010 they began studying together at the local Borders bookstore cafe. Melissa said they started out as friends and slowly started to date.
Luckily Melissa matched in Bethlehem and Allentown, PA for years 1 through 4 of training and Jeff matched not far down the road in Hershey, PA for years 2 through 5 of training.
During their intern years, the couple planned a trip to San Francisco and wine country in Napa Valley, CA. On the way to Napa Valley they stopped at Muir Woods National Park and when they reached an area where no one was around, Jeff dropped to one knee and proposed. “After a few minutes of shock, she said yes!” he explained. “I think she was so surprised that I was willing to bring an engagement ring on the plane!” After the engagement, Jeff said they both had a glow as they drove to Napa Valley. “It all felt magical,” he said. The couple’s wedding on a small beach on Long Island, NY was followed by an adventurous honeymoon in Costa Rica where they ziplined and explored the rainforest.
When it came time to start house hunting, Melissa and Jeff focused on the Delaware County area. At one point, Jeff had lived in Media while interning at Crozer Keystone and he and Melissa fell in love with the area. After he earned his degree and found his job as a radiologist at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, they found their Ravenscliff townhome, which was the perfect place to settle and eventually start a family.
The Poot Family
Melissa and Jeff have four children: six-year-old Benji and three-year old triplets, Rachel, Amelia and Cassandra. Benji is a first grader at Loomis Elementary School where his favor ite subject is art. Riding his bike and playing video games with his dad are some of his favorite things. Melissa said he’s sweet and silly and works hard at everything he does whether it’s school or sports. Weekends he’s on the soccer field or baseball field and enjoys playing for both the Marple Newtown Soccer Association and South Marple Little league. He’s also attending religious school at the Mensch Academy at Congregation Beth El Ner Tamid in Broomall.
When Benji was three, he and Melissa accompanied Jeff on a work trip to Hawaii. Just before the trip the couple learned they were expecting and thought they were pregnant with twins. When they returned from the trip they had another ultrasound. This time it showed triplets.
The triplets were born in November of 2019. Rachel is known as “Baby A and is the fraternal triplet. Her parents say she’s the more emotional one of the three girls. “She’s very passionate and has a mind of her own,” said Melissa. “ I think she takes after her mom,” Jeff added jokingly.
Babies B and C are identical triplets Amelia and Cassie. The couple described Amelia as the more timid and reserved of the three and is also daddy’s girl. “No matter what we are doing as a family, you’ll always find Amelia attached to Jeff’s hip,” said Melissa. “She’s a very happy kid and is always singing, even making up her own songs.” Last, but not least, is Cassie, who is fearless, adventurous and loves to try things. “She’s also the mom of the group,” added Melissa. “She loves to take care of her sisters.”
The Poot Family
Jeff and Melissa love spending quality time together here in Marple or on vacation. During the summer they’ve enjoyed vacations with extended family in Ocean City, NJ, Montauk, NY and the Outer Banks. Here in the community they’ve joined the Lawrence Park Swim Club and are members of Congregation Beth El Ner Tamid (CBENT) in Broomall.
Joining CBENT was a great way for the Poots to meet people in the community. “Since Jeff and I had moved around a lot during medical school, the synagogue was a great way for us to feel welcomed here,” said Melissa. “Although the pandemic halted some of the social events and holiday gatherings, we’re looking forward to getting more involved.” Jeff also added that CBENT has been very open to interfaith families. “I was raised Catholic and I have always felt so welcome,” he added.
This December the Poots are looking forward to celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah and honoring each other's traditions. They typically spend Hanukkah with Melissa’s side of the family from Long Island. “Every night at sundown, we light the Hanukkah candles. Fried foods are a Jewish custom on Hanukkah, so I typically make latkes (fried potato pancakes) the first night,” explained Melissa. “The children play dreidel, eat chocolate gelt (coins), and receive a gift each night, so it’s a really fun time for them. The kids are especially excited for night eight as that usually has the largest of the gifts they receive.”
On Christmas day, the Poots bring the whole family to Jeff’s parents’ house to help them celebrate and to see all their aunts, uncles and cousins and open gifts together. “The holidays can be a tricky time to be an interfaith family, but we are finding a balance that is right for us,” added Melissa. “Even though we are raising the children in the Jewish faith, we both agree that the most important thing is family and we enjoy participating in one another's traditions.”
Life is busy for these two hard working doctors and four kids. Melissa said that she and Jeff have become great at balancing each other out and being flexible and they’re grateful for help! They also have a couple rules to live by: Don’t wake a sleeping baby and don’t do anything that would require going to the emergency room! Sounds like good advice!
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.
