BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times
VERNON AND ALEXCIA BROWN
Live: Clay
Married: Aug. 13, 2022
Met: Magic City Classic Weekend, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, on Lot M in the Legion Field parking lot. Alexcia worked as a parking cashier, checking and handing out parking decals, and Vernon was a parking attendant.
“I was checking cars, and Vernon and one of his coworkers came in the lot and I didn’t see a decal so I was giving them a hard time, telling them they couldn’t come on the lot without one,” Alexcia remembered.
Alexcia’s no-nonsense attitude was alluring to Vernon, “…and I just stopped and said, ‘hey, you cute (she has hazel eyes that attracted me); where your man at? And she said, ‘I ain’t got one, and I ain’t got time…,’” Vernon recalled. “And I said I’m going to park, and I’m coming back to get you.”
Vernon started helping me maneuver traffic while trying to [flirt],” Alexcia said. “He was asking about kids and that’s how we got into what schools we went to. He asked for my number and little did I know I put it in his phone wrong … I never saw him again that weekend, but a week goes by and he didn’t call, and then I got a Facebook friend request from him and immediately accepted and DM’d him saying ‘How you gonna get a person’s number and not use it?’. And he sent me a screenshot of what I put in his phone, and I put my number in wrong,” she laughed. “And the only reason he was able to look me up on Facebook is because I have a habit of putting my full name in people’s contacts.”
The two began talking through the DM’s, exchanged numbers, and moved the conversation offline. They took it slow because, “I was a workaholic … working and [my three] kids took all my time,” said Alexcia. But the holiday season presented the perfect opportunity for their first date. Alexcia invited Vernon to accompany her to West End High School’s Class of 2006’s Christmas Party.
First date: Late December at West End’s Class of 2006’s Christmas Party at the Midfield Event Center. But before going to the party, “We met each other at Urban Smoke to eat and pregame,” Alexcia said. “And at the party, Vernon knew more people in my class than I knew … He wasn’t a stranger to anyone in the party … he knew a lot of people from coaching youth sports in the neighborhood.”
“Because of our [10 year] age difference, I was a little uncomfortable going to the party, but ended up knowing people there,” Vernon said. “The party was pretty loud so we didn’t really get to talk.”
The turn: “Vernon first told me he loved me Jan. 11, 2020, and that’s when I knew it was getting serious. And on January 19, 2020, he asked me to be his girlfriend,” recalled Alexcia.
“We had a chemistry going and we were constantly on the phone all day. I used to be an Android fan, and she talked me into getting an iPhone so we could Face Time. And I always tell people you know when it’s right, you get that feeling,” said Vernon. “We’ve stuck by each other and kept [progressing], and as you can see, we’re married now.”
The proposal: May 3, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. Vernon had accompanied Alexcia and her three children, Jurnei, Jaydon, and Jace on a trip to Florida for Jurnei’s cheer competition, and one night while resting in the AirBnB they had rented, Vernon popped the question bedside.
“We had actually got to arguing prior to that [popping the question],” Vernon laughed. “And we were in the bedroom and I just decided to do it then. I got up, got the ring, and went around to her side and got on one knee and asked her to marry me.”
“He gave me his whole little spiel first, and I was surprised because we had just got through arguing,” Alexcia laughed. “But I knew it [a proposal] was coming, I just didn’t expect it then so it was a little shocking and sweet at the same time. I was emotional, and I said ‘yes.’”
The wedding: At Sloss Furnace National Historic Landmark, officiated by Pastor Willie Whitsett of Faith Deliverance OpenDoor Ministries in Pinson. Their colors were navy blue, rose gold, and champagne.
Most memorable for the bride was, “When they pushed back the curtain and I saw Vernon, and then I looked over at my girls [daughters], and they were tearing up, it almost got me, but I kept it together. And I enjoyed hanging with my bridesmaids, and maid of honor before the wedding too. It was nice getting to sip mimosa’s while we talked…,” Alexcia said.
Most memorable for the groom was, “was just sitting around getting dressed while [the videographer] was recording. It was a great moment with my boys [brother and friends], and my nephew. And the after party was nice. I used to work at Sloss Furnace, and I didn’t think it could look that good, but everything was very, very nice,” Vernon recalled.
Honeymoon: A weeklong cruise to the Bahamas. “This was actually the start of Vernon getting sick and we didn’t know what was going on, so he spent a lot of time laying down. But we were able to make a few memorable moments on the beach, and we did a couple excursions,” Alexcia said.
Words of wisdom: “Six months after we got married, that’s when we got his diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer and he went through some aggressive treatment … He went from 325 pounds to 130 and being newlyweds and going through that big of a game-changer pushed both of us in our marriage,” Alexcia said. “There were a lot of times where I had to empathize and just be there throughout the process. And because of the chemo, we were told we probably wouldn’t be able to have kids and although we weren’t trying, a few years later I got pregnant.” She added, “You have to keep an open line of communication, and you have to be intentional. Continue to date, go out and do things together.”
“Pray about everything and communicate. That is the key,” Vernon said.
Vernon was given 12-24 months to live after his diagnosis, and he has surpassed that timeframe by a year. They are hoping and praying the miracle continues.
Happily ever after: The Browns are a blended family with six children: Vernecia, 23, Jaydon, 20, Jurnei, 17, Nadia, 15, Jace, 11, and born of their union is Jream, 9 months.
Alexcia, 37, is a West End native, and West End High School grad. She attended Berea College, in Berea Kentucky, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Alexcia works for the City of Birmingham in storm water management.
Vernon, 47, is a Wenonah native, and Wenonah High School grad. He formerly worked for the City of Birmingham for 13 years in the Public Works department and coached youth sports at Wiggins Park in Birmingham for 17 years. Vernon — and his family — is currently battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer and inviting all believers in Christ to pray along with them.
“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to editor@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.
