GROOM NAME
Roosevelt Brown, II
NAME OF HBCU FOR GROOM ?
Virginia State University
GROOM PROFESSION?
Assistant Principal – Educator (recently retired)
BRIDE NAME
Hodge-Brown
NAME OF HBCU FOR BRIDE?
Virginia State University
BRIDE PROFESSION
Director of Quality Assurance, Maryland Dept of Health – Central Regional Office
SO, EXACTLY HOW DID YOU MEET?
During the COVID19 pandemic a group of Virginia State University (VSU) alumni started a prayer call at 8 am every morning. We were both participants on the call. Due to our age difference (9 years), we attended VSU at different times in the 80’s and didn’t know each other. One morning, Shireen spoke on the prayer call about the “Proverbs 31” woman, part 1. Roosevelt was moved by her sharing and explaining the attributes of a Proverbs 31 woman. As few weeks later, Shireen returned as the morning speaker to share part 2 of the Proverbs 31 woman. Roosevelt was moved again and found himself in tears, saying that he desired a woman who had the attributes that Shireen described in her messages. Roosevelt, looked Shireen up on good ole Facebook and reached out to her by telling her that he was “spiritually in love” with her. Shireen later responded with a simple “thank you”. Roosevelt then asked Shireen if she was coming to homecoming as the university put some parameters in place for all who wanted to attend. Shireen responded, with a simple “Yes”. Roosevelt then asked if they could meet up and just hang out at the various events, since they were both members of Greek lettered organizations (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority). The two met up at homecoming 2021 and had a great time. On the last day of the homecoming weekend, the two met up with their respected friends to have a farewell brunch. At some point during brunch, Shireen gently kissed Roosevelt on the lips and everyone at the table was stumped. As everyone was leaving to head back to their respected homes, Roosevelt and Shireen took a ride back to VSU campus to walk around and reminisce. While on campus at the fountain, Shireen and Roosevelt met an older couple who shared that they met at VSU over forty years ago and have been married for over thirty-five years. During the stroll on campus, Roosevelt casually tells Shireen, “I am going to marry you”. Shireen replies with “Yeah right”.
HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE PERSON THAT YOU WOULD MARRY?
After leaving VSU campus, the two drove their cars to a local gas station to get gas and snacks before heading on the road. The two enter into the “WaWa gas station/convenient store”. Roosevelt pick up a sandwich and a drink, while Shireen gets a pack of gum and walks to the register. Roosevelt, goes to the restroom and returns. When he approaches the register, Shireen hands him his food and a receipt for gas that’s paid. Roosevelt was in shock because he was not accustomed to a woman paying for anything, let alone his gas. He thanked her and they drove home. Shireen was living in Maryland at the time and Roosevelt was living in Portsmouth, Virginia. Once, they got home, Roosevelt called Shireen to check on her and invited her to a jazz concert that same week on Wednesday. He didn’t think she would come back down to Virginia in a matter of three days. He asked Shireen anyway and she said, “Sure, I’ll fly down early in the morning, work remotely and be dressed and ready by 6 pm”. That “yes” confirmed that she well on her way to becoming Mrs. Brown. Shireen flew in Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday morning by 7 am. Roosevelt was so excited to take Shireen to his favorite local jazz venue, Roger Browns. At the end of the night, Shireen flew back to Baltimore. That was the beginning of our bi-monthly commitment to see each other as a dating couple. The next month, Roosevelt flew to Baltimore and Shireen had a jam packed weekend of activities planned. Roosevelt enjoyed every minute of his visit and immediately book his next trip. The trips were so fast and furious, that many people though that they moved to each others home state. The pink and purple (sorority/fraternity colors) began to blend so well that Roosevelt, determined that Shireen was the one that God kept for him.
DESCRIBE THE PROPOSAL?
Once, Roosevelt realized that Shireen was the one, he planned the proposal. Remember the prayer call that Shireen spoke on over a year ago, well Roosevelt reached out to some of Shireen prayer warrior friends since the prayer call continues to this day. Roosevelt, met with Shireen’s friends and they planned the engagement. They picked out a ring from Diamonds Direct in Richmond, Virginia. On Valentines Day, 2022, Roosevelt was the speaker on the prayer call. He set Shireen up in another room with her laptop camera on and he was in another room. He cited that two lap tops in close proximity would cause internet interference so Shireen had no clue what was about to happen. The call starts promptly at 8 am and Roosevelt’s topic is on “Love”. Towards the end of the message, he walks into the room where Shireen is seated with her laptop and he gets on his knee and ask her to be his wife. The entire audience begins to scream and Shireen begins to cry but utters, “Yes” loud enough for all to hear.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?
6 months
