A number of articles have been published showcasing Nina Friedman, both in her professional and personal life!

• Great Day Houston
• The Leader
• ABC News Valentines 2008- Video
• LSS News
• People
• Houston Press-Blog

Dena hired me in June 2007, I introduced her to Casey in June and they were married on September 27th 2008.

Houston Chronicle
February 2008
OK, guys, if you think you're going to scoot through Valentine's Day with nary a gesture of affection, be prepared to join the lonely hearts club.

Experts don't agree on what, exactly, sends the right message, but they do say a gift is imperative.

"Men need to be the ones to pull out all the stops on Valentine's Day," says local matchmaker Nina Friedman Neish. "They need to make a grand effort and have a plan. Women really like a guy with a plan."

Friedman Neish, who married Dr. Steven Neish in 2006 just four months after their first date, says her Valentine's Day last year came with a bouquet of flowers, a Coach handbag and dinner at Mark's.

"He actually handpicked and arranged a bouquet of flowers and brought them to me," she said. "It's so nice to deliver the flowers in person. It just shows an effort."

Friedman Neish advises crossing candy or anything fattening off the list — whether the relationship is new or not — since nearly "everyone is on a diet."

And jewelry, she says, should be reserved for serious relationships. Giving it too soon can send a mixed signal.

"I knew a woman who just starting dating a guy and received a diamond ring he purchased during his vacation in Tanzania," Friedman Neish said. "The man wanted a casual relationship, but giving her a ring only left the woman confused."

Flowers are an appropriate gift no matter how long you've been dating, she says, and other gifts could include theater tickets or a special dinner at home, but she says forget the "card with $50 cash inside." That's just plain lazy.

Patti Stranger, who stars in the new Bravo series The Millionaire Matchmaker, says there's only one kind of gift guys should consider for Valentine's — even if they're not millionaires.

"If he wants to show his feelings for you, he needs to get jewelry," Stranger said. "Nothing else will do."

Stranger is known for her tough-cookie appeal and brutal sincerity. She's currently looking for matches for two Houston millionaires. "When a millionaire expresses his feelings for someone, he gives expensive jewelry. But you can find inexpensive jewelry at Zale's," Stranger says. "If she's an earthy type, get her turquoise. If she's a girlie (type), get her diamonds. There's no excuse."

Lingerie from companies such as Frederick's of Hollywood and Victoria's Secret is still popular.

But experts advise considering your sweetheart first. Lacy teddys, for example, suggest you're expecting a special night of romance, says company Frederick's spokeswoman Erin Dominguez. "It's really something for someone a bit more adventurous and something you know she would wear."

To play it safe with lingerie, Dominguez recommends boy shorts and pajama sets, since they aren't overly suggestive, for new lovebirds. She says Frederick's three-piece Valentine's Heart Pajama set, $29, which includes, shorts, pants and a cami, is a popular gift.

Of course, if you want to make a steamy statement, there are plenty of sexy pieces — from short nightgowns to barely-there underwear.

Here's another piece of advice: Don't wait until Thursday.

"Stop screwing around," Friedman Neish said, "because you don't want to be stumbling around that day at the grocery store trying to find a card. That's ridiculous."

Houston Press "Best of 2007"
BEST MATCHMAKER
Nina Friedman

Jewish Herald Voice
August 2007
I always have wanted a husband and kids. But, when I turned 40-I was still single. I'm a professional matchmaker, but I had yet to find my match.

I became a court-appointed child advocate in 2002, and started donating time working on child abuse cases. It was the most rewarding and frustrating experience I had ever had. One day, I was sitting in a meeting with CPS workers and attorneys and adoption agency case workers and one of the workers said, "Nina you should be a foster parent." I told her, now way. I could never give up a puppy, let alone a child. The caseworker said no, you can be a foster-to-adopt parent, and it would be great.

The truth is, I really wanted a baby. I was having middle of the night panic attacks that I would never get to be a mom. The problem was finding the right dad. I'd never wanted to marry the wrong man, so I was still single.

I weighed the options. Do I get pregnant? Or do I adopt? Is it right to get pregnant and not have a father for a child? Do I adopt a child who doesn't have parents, and then I give her a great mother and hopefully someday a father?

I decided to adopt.

I started interviewing different local agencies: Depelchin, Spaulding, Lutheran Services and Catholic Charities. I went through a series of training sessions and parenting classes and picked Lutheran Charities as my agency. I started the process in March of 2004 and on Feb. 7, 2005, I got the call saying they had a baby girl for me to pick at the hospital the next day.

My baby was born on January 23, 2005 and had been in the neonatal intensive care unit because her birth mother was a crack cocaine user. She was born with cocaine in her blood stream; she had many other complications and there was a chance that she would not survive but no one told me that.

When I met Fayth she was 4.5 pounds and 15 days old. Fayth's adoption was finalized on November 16, 2005. She is now a happy, healthy, amazing 2 1/2 year old.
And last year she got a daddy and two older siblings.

On New Years eve 2006 I married the most amazing man. Dr. Steven Neish, a pediatric cardiologist with Texas Children's Hospital, who has two children, Marcus 23 and Alex 21.

Fayth now has a mommy and daddy and a huge group of family and friends who adore her. Dreams do come true: A single woman can adopt a baby in Houston, Texas. Who knew Lutheran Charities would help Nina Friedman a single Jewish girl adopt a beautiful newborn baby.

The Professional Group
June 2007
Nina Friedman has been matchmaking for 20 years. More than anything, Nina wanted to be a mother. She was 40 years old and single when she adopted a baby girl and named her Fayth. That was her grandmother’s name, but Nina also had faith in love. She knew that the right man was out there for her -- and that she was going to find him. Her friends told her to give up on finding prince charming and to just settle. Who would want a single mom over 40? She was never willing to settle. Last summer, after leaving her job as Romance Director at the Houston Press, Nina devoted herself to her matchmaking career. While searching for the perfect match for her clients, she met her own match, Dr. Steven Neish, a pediatric cardiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital. The two had a whirlwind romance. They were engaged within a month and married less than four months later on New Year’s Eve. Nina’s first marriage, Dr. Steve’s second marriage, he had two children in college, but was happy to be a father to Fayth. Nina is a woman who believes that love is out there for everyone. It’s Nina’s mission to match up good people with other great people. Nina believed in love, and love came to her. And she can bring love and dating know-how to you. This will be speaking at our June meeting on how to find the right match, and how to keep the relationship.

Ultimate People 2006
Oct. 17, 2006, 9:28PM MODERN-DAY YENTA Nina Friedman
Matchmaker Nina Friedman believes in working hard for love. And she's there to lend a hand when it comes to the work of finding it. Friedman develops a kinship with her carefully selected list of clients, helps them determine what they are looking for in love and makes some suggestions. She's not promising a walk down the aisle. "All I promise is that the people I put in front of you will be really, really close to what you want."