Things started to change when Amalie, originally from Denmark, met Sean, a British man, through an online video game. Their unexpected connection quickly blossomed into a deep friendship and eventually something more.

“My husband Sean and I met 11 years ago on a PlayStation game,” she recalled. “At first, I thought he was an old man just looking for a young woman to talk to. But then I learned he was my age.”

Their relationship was built on meaningful conversations, free from superficial judgments about appearance. Although they had exchanged pictures, it took a while before they started video chatting.

Amalie admitted her insecurities made her self-conscious, especially at the beginning. “I could see how fat I was in the pictures, but he kept talking to me,” she said. “I was so insecure; I would hide my double chin. But he didn’t care—he just wanted to talk to me.”

Over time, their friendship deepened. It took a while before they realized they had fallen in love. Amalie started dropping hints about her feelings, but Sean didn’t immediately catch on. Eventually, she began posting subtle love notes on Facebook. Sean noticed them but assumed she was talking about someone else. Finally, Amalie gathered the courage to confess her feelings directly.

“It was the strangest feeling because I hadn’t had luck with boyfriends before,” Amalie shared. “And suddenly, here was this guy, 500 miles away, who liked me just as much as I liked him.”

Their long-distance relationship soon became permanent when Amalie moved to England to be with Sean. However, their relationship wasn’t always free from judgment. Sean, a slim man, often faced questions from strangers who couldn’t understand why he would be with someone of Amalie’s size. Some even suggested he had a fetish. But Sean never let the comments get to him. He made it clear that Amalie’s weight was never a factor—he loved her for who she was, not a number on a scale.

Despite their strong bond, outside scrutiny sometimes took a toll. In a 2019 interview, the couple revealed that while most of their loved ones were supportive, they had to cut ties with Sean’s father. The details remained private.

Amalie used her platform to speak out against fatphobia, especially in the medical field. She advocated for self-acceptance and encouraged others to stop wasting time hating themselves.

“If I could go back and talk to a younger Amalie, I would say, ‘Stop wasting time hating yourself. Yes, your body is different, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad,’” she said. “You will never be able to stop people from saying things about you. You will never be able to stop them from looking at you. But you can stop letting it affect you. And you will find people who love you—who love your body for what it is.”

Body shaming remains a significant issue in today’s society, and it does more harm than good. Making someone feel terrible about themselves doesn’t always motivate change. Instead, it can worsen self-esteem issues and further damage mental health. Amalie’s journey with Sean proved that love, kindness, and acceptance could change everything, even in a world that can often be harsh and unforgiving.

Amalie Jennings’ story went viral in 2019, inspiring people around the world with her message of self-acceptance and love. Sadly, she passed away on July 15, 2024. The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, but her obituary stated that Amalie, lovingly called “Malle,” passed away peacefully at the age of 30.

“Beloved and missed.
‘When you see a star twinkle, it’s me waving at you.’

On behalf of the family,
Sean, Mom, Pavia, and Pia.”

If the haters ever doubted their love, they would now see that Amalie and Sean’s relationship lasted until the very end. Their story touched many lives and continues to inspire people today. Though Amalie’s life ended too soon, her message of self-love and kindness lives on. Let’s honor her memory by working toward a world where everyone feels accepted, seen, and valued.

Our hearts go out to Sean and her family during this difficult time.