Valentines at Trinity: Mark Daddona and Dan Niccum

Every couple has a story — a story of how they met, how they’ve grown together, and how God has shaped their journey along the way. This Valentine’s season, we’re sharing a few of those stories from our church family. From chance meetings to lasting love, each one is a reminder that God’s timing and creativity are beautiful.

Today, we hear from Mark Daddona and Dan Niccum:

How did you two meet?

We met while both working at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dan worked in the Admissions Office and Mark worked in the College of Education. We met during a student recruitment event coordinated by Dan’s office where Mark met with prospective students who were interested in becoming an education major.

How long have you been together?

We’ve been together 30 years this past January and haven’t gotten married. We wanted to wait and see if it was a good fit (haha!).

What first drew you to each other?

Other than our common interest working in academia, we also both enjoyed running, gardening, and getting together with friends.

What do you enjoy doing together these days?

Since we both flunked retirement (Dan twice), we both enjoy working part-time pursuing our passions. Dan working with trees, shrubs, and perennials at B.B. Barnes and Mark teaching psychology at A-B Tech and human services classes at the Western Correctional Center for Women. However, this limits our personal time together. When we are together, we enjoy working in our yard, watching movies, hanging out with friends, exploring the many restaurants and breweries in town as well as art shows and galleries in Asheville and communities in Western North Carolina either through day trips or weekend getaways. We also just enjoy hanging out at home with our dog Hawk and our cat Willow.

What brought you to Trinity, and what keeps you connected here?

Dan started shopping for churches via Zoom while we were still living in the Atlanta area, but was drawn most to Trinity. We both started attending in person shortly after moving to Asheville full-time in July 2022.

We were drawn to Trinity by the liturgy, music, the beautiful campus, and the traditional design of the sanctuary. There are so many things that keep us connected here, mostly the community that immediately welcomed us as a couple, and our active involvement in the life of Trinity and its various ministries such as breakfast (eating and preparing), supper club, Sunday School, Godly Play, special events, creation care,

welcoming, and ushering.

What’s a favorite memory you’ve made as a couple?

While 30 years has brought us numerous memories, what comes to mind is the time period of COVID and our transition to moving to Asheville which occurred over a 3-year period preparing to downsize, visiting our new home monthly, meeting new neighbors, and establishing ourselves in a new community in a new state in the midst of a pandemic.

What’s something simple that always makes you feel connected?

Our frequent lunch dates, spontaneous adventures and field trips, working together on projects inside and outside our home.

What are you looking forward to in this next season of life together?

We’re looking forward to some domestic and international travel together and exploring getting married. We also look forward to supporting each other as we strive to age gracefully in Asheville.