Values

Our shared values focus on family.  Ponnila’s parents would plan to move to Rochester to help with caring for any child that comes into our life.  Not only would this child have our love and support, but they would grow in the love of their grandparents, who have been waiting to dote and care for their grandchild.  Mark’s parents are only a plane ride away and would also be a constant component of our child’s life.  Both of our siblings and their families are looking forward to being aunts and uncles and are so excited to welcome a niece or nephew to the extended family.

Our work as physicians is incredibly meaningful to us but building our family is more important.  We will both be taking extended time of from work to welcome our child into our home and will subsequently adjust our hours to ensure that we are providing our family with all the love and care needed.

How we raise our child will be fusion of how we were raised by our own parents.  Our hope is to share the world with our child and allow them the opportunity to explore what life has to offer and to discover their own passions—while always offering protection and guidance.  Instilling kindness, humbleness, and honesty with encouragement of curiosity, bravery, and resilience are at the heart of what we will share with our child and emulate as a family.