What is it like to call two places home? Adel and Lauren Khelif have raised their children in both Greenville and Vauvert, France. What they’ve learned is that whenever they’re in one, their hearts are also in the other.

Lauren’s love of France can be traced to her parents. Her mother studied there, earned a degree in French education, and worked for Michelin interviewing candidates in French. Her father worked in international sales and traveled extensively. Once Lauren visited France with them, she was changed.

“I was in high school, and that trip solidified my fascination with the language, culture, and way of life. From then on, I knew France would always be part of my story.”

Adel moved to France as a college student. Born in Algeria, he studied mathematics and computer science at Aix Marseille Université in Marseille.

“Marseille quickly became home, shaping both my personal and professional path. After completing my studies, I moved to Paris, where I built my career in technology and business. Those years provided a strong foundation in building systems, solving complex problems, and working in fast-paced professional environments.”

The Khelifs met in Paris in 2001. Lauren was on internship there as part of her Master of International Business program at the University of South Carolina.

“I was on a suburban train with friends,” Lauren says. “We asked Adel and his friends for directions to the next metro line, but instead of pointing the way, they led us up an escalator onto the Champs-Élysées and invited us for a drink. The rest, as they say, is history! We were married in 2008 at the InterContinental Paris LeGrand Hotel in the stunning Opéra Ballroom, surrounded by family and friends from both countries.”

The Khelifs’ children, Maya, 15, and Adam, 12, were born in Greenville. But in 2017, wanting to be near Adel’s family in Nimes, France, Adel and Lauren moved the family to Vauvert, France, a small village in the Camargue region. Lauren worked in real estate, helping foreign buyers purchase property in the South of France. Adel was the owner of a company specializing in online sales of nautical sports equipment.  The move gave Maya and Adam the opportunity to be immersed in the French language and culture.

“In Vauvert, very little English is spoken,” the Khelifs say. “Maya and Adam attended local public schools and participated in sports clubs, all within five minutes of our home, and today, they are both bilingual, speaking both French and English fluently and without an accent. We spent weekends at the Mediterranean beaches or on our boat. Adel and Adam love fishing, and we all enjoy watersports. We often walked through the surrounding vineyards and olive groves, where we would see the region’s iconic white horses. Flamingos were a common sight closer to the sea. We harvested olives from our backyard trees and took them to a local mill to produce olive oil, and we kept chickens for fresh eggs. It was a simple, beautiful rhythm of life.”

The Khelifs returned to the U.S. in 2024. While they were leaving one home, Greenville also felt like a homecoming.

“We were happy to be close to my family again,” Lauren says, “and we appreciate the energy, opportunity, and strong sense of community in Greenville. We had missed the American fitness culture and the pride that Americans take in maintaining their homes and lawns. We also missed the little conveniences, like 24-hour stores, businesses open on Sundays, and the ease of running out for a last-minute school or grocery item. Being back has also allowed Maya to be part of the Leadership Development Program at YMCA Camp Greenville. This summer, she’ll serve as a junior counselor.”

Returning to Greenville also means returning to Lauren’s family’s business, Genco Pools & Spas. She first worked there while in middle school.

“Working with family creates a deep sense of trust and shared purpose. We are all personally invested in the success of the business, and that commitment drives the level of care we put into every project. We specialize in large commercial projects and high-end residential pools, and we were especially proud to complete the renovation of the Thornblade pools.”

Adel also works for Genco. When the Khelifs returned to the U.S., he sold his business, but he finds the opportunities in Greenville exciting.

“Since coming back, I’ve been supporting Genco Pools & Spas on strategic and operational initiatives, strengthening its digital capabilities and long-term foundation. My background is in technology, data, and business operations, with experience helping both entrepreneurial ventures and larger organizations grow through structure, clarity, and scalable systems. Greenville has a strong business community, a growing technology presence, and a spirit of entrepreneurship that I’ve always appreciated. I’m looking forward to being part of the city’s ongoing growth.”

Since their return, the Khelifs have been enjoying a sport popular on both sides of the Atlantic. Both children play in the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) as well as for their schools, Riverside High School and Northwood Middle School. Adel is pleased to see Maya and Adam develop their own passion for the sport.

“I moved to Marseille just a few months after Olympique de Marseille became the first French club to win the European Cup, and I immediately caught the bug. Today, it’s just as meaningful to watch my children play and, occasionally, to join them in the backyard or on the field.”

The Khelifs also have another well-traveled household member.

“We adopted our cat, Hanoun, in France as a kitten after he was found on the side of a highway in Portugal,” Lauren says. “Hanoun has made the international move with us and now proudly holds French, American, and Portuguese ‘citizenship.’ He is truly a cherished member of our family.”

There are still things the Khelifs miss about Vauvert, like Adel’s family, close friends, and time spent with the children on the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, they’re happy to be back in the Upstate.

“More than anything,” they say, “we enjoy being together as a family and making the most of being back in Greenville and part of this community.”