by Mesa, AZ – A heartwarming story that captured the nation’s attention 10 years ago continues to bring joy as 68-year-old Wanda Dench of Mesa, Arizona celebrates her tenth Thanksgiving meal with a young man she now considers family. The friendship began when a simple, accidental group text in November 2016 reached then-17-year-old Jamal Hinton, inviting him to Thanksgiving dinner — and the rest is history.
Dench recalls, “There was no generation gap at all… like we were just like pals for forever. That grew into family and love, and I feel so blessed.” The unplanned invitation quickly became a viral sensation when Hinton replied with a laughing emoji, joking, “You not my grandma. Can I still get a plate though?” Dench’s response was simple and heartfelt: “Of course you can. That’s what grandmas do … feed everyone.”
From a Mistaken Text to Chosen Family
Hinton, now 26, has attended every Thanksgiving dinner since that first invite. The two have built a relationship that blends warmth, humor, and shared family traditions. Despite the unusual beginnings, Dench describes the bond as natural.
“It’s just amazing to sit back and think that one mistaken text led to so many people’s happiness and joy,” Hinton told the Today Show.
Over the years, the duo has continued to celebrate Thanksgiving together, even through difficult times, including the death of Dench’s late husband, Lonnie Dench, from COVID-19 complications in 2020, and her own breast cancer diagnosis. Dench is now cancer-free and looks forward to spending the holiday with Hinton again.
Media Frenzy and Growing Friendship
The first year of their viral story saw an overwhelming media presence, which meant Dench and Hinton barely had time to connect. “We had more media people at my house than we had family members,” Dench recalled. To get to know Hinton better, she and her late husband invited him and his then-girlfriend to a restaurant dinner a few months later, where they spent hours talking and building the foundation of a lasting friendship.
Hinton added, “There wasn’t ever an awkward moment. We chatted until the restaurant closed.” Dench also notes that during Thanksgiving itself, media coverage often keeps them from extended conversations, but the connection remains strong year after year.
Passing the Tradition Forward
Over the last decade, Dench and Hinton have alternated hosting Thanksgiving dinners, including last year at Hinton’s aunt’s house in Phoenix. Their story has inspired countless others to embrace kindness and step outside their comfort zones to create meaningful connections.
Dench reflects on the positive impact: “We got to actually inspire people, and that’s all I want to — inspire people to do better, or to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.”
Have you ever made a lasting connection from a random act of kindness? Share your own heartwarming stories or thoughts about Dench and Hinton’s decade-long friendship in the comments below!
