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Celebrations Spotlight: Nikki Borza and Paul Mathews
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Nikki Borza and Paul Mathews, both 28, wed on October 31, 2009. They now reside in Shadyside.

Q: How did you meet?

Nikki: Paul and I met at Have a Nice Day Cafe in the Strip District in 2003. We were both in our senior year at Pitt. I was on the dance floor with all of my friends when I noticed a tall, dark and very handsome guy walking my way. I quickly approached him and asked him to dance with me - he declined - and embarrassed me in front of my friends! Later that evening we met up again and got to talking and laughing. Before we parted ways, Paul asked me if he could have a kiss and just to even the score, I declined!

Q: Where did you each grow up?

Paul: I grew up in Montgomery Village, Md., before moving to Murrysville for my high school years. Nikki grew up in Beaver.

Q: Who proposed? How?

Nikki: Paul proposed and it was so romantic! Paul and I were eating dinner at Opus in the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. After we finished our meals, Paul asked me to use the restroom so that we could leave promptly after dessert. After a bit of hesitation I agreed. On my way back, I got almost halfway down the staircase when I noticed rose petals covering the stairs and Paul standing at the bottom with a huge bouquet of red roses. I was completely stunned! Paul got down on one knee while the lobby pianist played our song "Earth Angel", and many people gathered around in the lobby and cheered as he slipped the ring onto my finger.

Q: Where were you married? Why did you choose that site?

Paul: We were married at Heinz Chapel. Pitt will always be so special to both of us and we could not think of a more perfect and gorgeous place to be married. Nikki is currently the assistant women's tennis coach at Pitt and her name is etched in the Pitt Athletics Walk of Fame which is located just steps away from the doors of Heinz Chapel.

Q: Where was the reception and honeymoon? Why did you choose those sites?

Nikki: We had our reception at LeMont. As soon as we walked in and met with the banquet manager, Bill Laughlin, we fell in love with it. The view is breathtaking, the food is delicious and the whole atmosphere is very romantic. Bill and his staff made us feel totally comfortable and confident in our event, and they pulled everything off exactly as planned. Paul was in charge of planning our honeymoon and he did a great job in choosing the Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort in Costa Rica.

Q: What was the funniest thing that happened?

Paul: Towards the end of the night the band played the song "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. Nikki has always had a karaoke obsession (although she is not much of a singer) and this particular song is her absolute favorite to sing. Nikki jumped right onstage with Jeff Jimerson and he gave her the microphone. She knew every word and sang the whole song with the band while all of our guests crowded around her cheering and singing along. It was her rock star moment!

Q: What's the most creative wedding present you were given?

Nikki: Paul's family is of Indian descent and St. George is his family's patron saint. The men in Paul's family have a very cool tradition of wearing matching wedding rings with a stamped portrait of St. George slaying a dragon on the front of the ring. Paul's uncle was in India traveling over the summer and was able to have one of these special family rings made for him and gave it to him as a wedding present!

Q: What's the best marriage advice you received?

Nikki: Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Q: What is one item of your spouse's that you wish you could throw out?

Paul: Nikki has an awful teddy bear named "Teddy" that she has slept with since she was young. It is old, ugly and has hard joints that make it very uncomfortable to sleep with!

Q: What is one thing that you do solely because you love your spouse?

Paul: Watch American Idol!

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First published on February 23, 2010 at 1:39 am