Finding Love with Sean and Linette

For most of us in the dating realm, we end up having to explain our conditions, our partners never having lived with eczema. It's definitely a learning curve for most, but what if you dated someone who knew exactly what you were going through?

Well, for lovebirds Sean Dillnutt (@seandillnutt_vs_tsw) and Linette Roungchun (@linettero), they were lucky enough to find just that.

When did Sean and Linette “meet”?

Sean, 39, and Linette, 36, may be close in age and have both dealt with eczema and topical steroid withdrawal, but their homes are thousands of miles apart. Sean lives in Southeast London and Linette lives in Orange County, California.

Sean first caught Linette's eye on a mutual acquaintance's Instagram story. "He stood out because of his confidence and personality," she explains. She loved his approach to his skin, humor being at the forefront of his social media. They soon connected, sliding into each other's DMs, and finally taking it to a video call in November of 2019.

"The conversation lasted 5 hours," Sean divulges, "and amazingly, we didn't discuss our skin once."

How did their friendship turn into a relationship?

"We were extremely quick out of the traps, and after that initial marathon call, things quickly developed into full on flirting," Sean shares. They were relentless in communicating, whether it be voice notes, texts, or video chats. It even got hot and heavy, videos turning into more than just innocent banter.

Linette recalls the moment when she knew it was more than just a fun, cheeky friendship. "It was when I had an amazing speaking opportunity at The Four Seasons." She explained how important this day was, getting to share her skin story, and how he was the first person she wanted to speak to before connecting with the team.

"I knew I was 'in trouble' and might have to have the 'What are we?' conversation soon."

They both agreed that this was more than just a simple connection, partnering up in not only social collaborations like their famous Itch Factor events, but as a real couple.

How has having someone been a blessing?

"It's such a wonderful thing to have," Sean states with enthusiasm. "A first and last phone call of the day, where the conversation is effortless, entertaining and occasionally erotic." Being long distance, there has to be ways to express not being there physically, but they both feel this relationship dives so much deeper than just physical touch.

"Though we are long-distance," Linette adds, "we’ve been told by regular couples that we talk to each other more than they’ve spoken to their significant other of several years."

However both feel extremely lucky in having found a partner that knows exactly what the other is going through. To have someone there not only through the ups and downs of an unrecognized condition, like TSW, but for them to be in it at the same time, is a gift. "That’s something special, and for that I am grateful," Linette proclaims.

What was it like meeting in person?

Linette explains how she had this amazing scenario in her mind. She would see him amongst skin friends at the National Eczema Expo, tears involved, perhaps a magical embrace.

"None of that happened," she laughed. "For such an anticipated moment, I felt like it was pretty spur-of-the-moment, yet absolutely wonderful in its own way." Instead of in front of all of their friends, they met at her hotel room for the Expo event. He burst through her door, singing, just as Linette was able to press record on her phone. She not only loved how tall he was, but that he was super cute in person. And after 2.5 years of online dating, they finally got to have an an-real-life kiss!

"Because Linette and I had spent so much time online together," Sean adds, "when I finally stepped through the door of our hotel room in Washington, it was so familiar and comfortable." He, too, was psyched they were finally able to be in each others' arms.

It was difficult saying good-bye after 10 days of pure bliss. But, they were just so elated to have gotten those 10 days together at all.

Do they have future plans to meet again?

"Absolutely," Linette states happily. "We were hoping for me to make it to London at the beginning of the new year, but with health and finances, it wasn’t feasible. So we are saving up to meet again at this year’s Eczema Expo!"

They both can't wait!

What advice would you give for long distance love?

"Communication is key," Linette states, adamantly. "But not just regular old communication - transparent communication. The good, the bad, and the ugly, all of it!"

"Endeavor to be open and honest with your partner at all times," Sean concludes. "Communicating what you need and don't need from them."

That sounds like sound advice for any couple. Thank you Sean and Linette for sharing your love story! May it continue on! I can't wait to see how it blossoms.