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Thomas and Adeleen may have grown up in different places, but they share many of the same values and passions. Thomas was born in Lexington, South Carolina, and raised in Jacó, Costa Rica, where he grew up as a missionary kid. As the oldest of three boys, he spent much of his time serving at church, playing guitar and singing on the worship team, and enjoying the outdoors through surfing, hiking, camping, soccer, and basketball. Adeleen was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, as the oldest of three girls. She spent much of her childhood studying violin, performing with orchestras, and building lifelong friendships through her church and community. She has always loved music, staying active, spending time outdoors, and creating meaningful connections with others. Though their backgrounds are different, both were raised in loving families, grounded in faith, and shaped by a deep appreciation for community, adventure, and serving others.

Thomas and Adeleen first met in 2023 as students in the OneLife Gap Year program. Among a class of 26 students, they quickly discovered that they shared many of the same interests, values, and passions. That year proved to be a transformative season for both of them. Individually, they grew in their faith, developed a deeper understanding of God's character, and were challenged spiritually, mentally, and physically. They also formed meaningful friendships with their classmates—many of which have become lifelong relationships. Together, Thomas and Adeleen spent the year building a strong foundation of friendship. Through shared experiences, countless conversations, and the close-knit community around them, their friendship grew naturally and laid the groundwork for the relationship that would follow.

Thomas officially asked Adeleen to be his girlfriend on October 12, 2024, just one day after her birthday. By that point, their friendship had inevitably grown into a beautiful dating relationship. What began as a genuine friendship built on trust, shared experiences, and countless conversations naturally blossomed into something deeper. Not long after they started dating, both Thomas and Adeleen sensed that God was leading them toward a future together. While they share many interests and values, their personalities complement one another in unique ways. Thomas is relational, adaptable, and present-minded, while Adeleen is creative, intentional, and always looking ahead. Their dating season has been filled with simple joys—movie nights, gym dates, Friday evenings at Chick-fil-A, double dates with friends, long walks, and exploring Greenville’s coffee shops together. Through it all, one of their favorite things about each other has been their differences. Learning to appreciate those differences has brought growth, laughter, and a deeper love for one another.

Thomas proposed to Adeleen on March 14, 2026 at the top of Oak Island light house off the coast of NC. The beach has always been one of Adeleen and Thomas's favorite places to go and to m