In 2016, a grandma accidentally invited a boy to Thanksgiving. 9 years later, he's hosting her at his home

People find friendships and soulmates in the unlikeliest of places and the most unusual ways. It was 2016 when a grandma from Arizona, Wanda Dench, picked up her phone to invite her grandson over for Thanksgiving dinner, per The Mirror. However, she accidentally sent the text message to a stranger's number. What started as a miscommunication with text messages, blossomed into a bond that has lasted for almost 9 years now. Dench found a friend in Jamal Hinton, who ended up receiving the text message that was meant for Dench's grandson.

After that, Dench and Hinton stayed in touch with one another and eventually met for the first time in person. Ever since then, Dench and Hinton have been celebrating all their Thanksgiving together. In 2023, Dench announced over a post on her Instagram page @wandadench that she and Jamal have partnered with Airbnb to open some extra seats for fellow strangers who would like to join them for a Thanksgiving dinner. Hinton also took to his Instagram page @jamalhinton12 in 2023 to share a photo collage of all the times he had spent with Dench and her family so far. However, all has not been sunshine and rainbows in Dench's life.

According to The Mirror, Dench's husband Lonnie passed away in 2020 after battling COVID-19 and Hinton stayed by Dench's side to support her through the grief along with his girlfriend Mikaela. In another Instagram post, Hinton can be seen holding a framed picture of Dench's late husband as they clicked pictures together. Dench also opened up about her health issues through Hinton's Instagram posts, revealing she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She acknowledged how her friendship with the young man had positively shaped their lives. "In 2022 I turned 65 years old and I thought I would have my last mammogram and not have to think about it again. But I was wrong," she wrote at the time on Instagram, per the news outlet.

Hinton has continued updating his followers about Dench, post her diagnosis. On a better note, Netflix announced in 2021 that they were interested in making a film based on the duo's friendship titled "The Thanksgiving Text." According to Netflix, the film will "highlight their deep friendship, despite their differences, and the unlikely connection sparked by a wrong number." "We hope it inspires more people to reach out and make connections that they wouldn't ordinarily make," Hinton and Dench said in a statement shared by Netflix at the time. "We are so blessed to find a genuine friendship brought together by God from a mistaken text message."

Dench also appeared for an interview with The Arizona Republic where she elaborated about her and Hinton's everlasting bond. "I feel blessed to have him in my life,” Wanda shared, noting this year’s holiday plans will still happen amid her cancer treatments. “He's changed my life for the good, and so we're going to make it work. I have a different appreciation now for life. For me, it's about being with the people that I love.” Hinton also shared about their 2024 Thanksgiving celebration on his X handle @Jamalhinton12 and wrote, "Excited to announce that I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year for Wanda and me! Looking forward to a day filled with good food, great company, and lasting memories. Year 9 coming soon!"

People in the online community also rejoiced in the duo's friendship and some even wished to join them for a Thanksgiving dinner. @Ngoma_Kurira_ wrote, "Jamal needs to livestream the Thanksgiving dinner. We are all so invested now." @LuisChavezTV admitted, "Nothing makes me happier than seeing these updates! God Bless you guys!" @ToothlessT81162 mentioned, "This story is priceless, what a comfort to know that real people with compassion and love for mankind truly exist. Happy Thanksgiving."