<strong>Two decades of friendship: </strong>Adopted from South Korea to the US when she was six months old, Linsay DeBates returned to her birth country for the first time in 2000, aged 19. By chance, she met fellow American Doug Gist during the trip and so began a friendship that continues two decades later.
Two decades of friendship: Adopted from South Korea to the US when she was six months old, Linsay DeBates returned to her birth country for the first time in 2000, aged 19. By chance, she met fellow American Doug Gist during the trip and so began a friendship that continues two decades later.
Graphic by Leanza Abucayan/Photos courtesy Getty Images and Linsay DeBates and Doug Gist
<strong>Chance meeting:</strong> DeBates and Gist, an American soldier stationed in South Korea, met by chance on a street in Itaewon, a district in Seoul. "We were instantly like best friends. It seemed like we were just together and buddies from here on out," says Gist.
Chance meeting: DeBates and Gist, an American soldier stationed in South Korea, met by chance on a street in Itaewon, a district in Seoul. "We were instantly like best friends. It seemed like we were just together and buddies from here on out," says Gist.
Courtesy Linsay DeBates and Doug Gist
<strong>Continuing connection: </strong>Gist ended up translating some difficult conversations between DeBates and her birth mother. "Doug was just so sensitive, he was so kind," says DeBates. They've met up on all DeBates' subsequent trips to South Korea.
Continuing connection: Gist ended up translating some difficult conversations between DeBates and her birth mother. "Doug was just so sensitive, he was so kind," says DeBates. They've met up on all DeBates' subsequent trips to South Korea.
Courtesy Linsay DeBates and Doug Gist
<strong>Across the world: </strong>The two have also met up in California, where DeBates lives. "Every time we get together, it's just fun. It doesn't matter where it is. This continent, this country or that country. If we're together we're having fun," says Gist.
Across the world: The two have also met up in California, where DeBates lives. "Every time we get together, it's just fun. It doesn't matter where it is. This continent, this country or that country. If we're together we're having fun," says Gist.
Courtesy Linsay DeBates and Doug Gist
<strong>Lifelong friends: </strong>Here's DeBates with Gist and his wife and daughter in California. DeBates is godmother to Gist's daughter.
Lifelong friends: Here's DeBates with Gist and his wife and daughter in California. DeBates is godmother to Gist's daughter.
Courtesy Linsay DeBates and Doug Gist