Wanda Dench, a grandmother from Arizona, and Jamal Hinton, a former stranger in Phoenix, have turned an accidental texting error into a beloved annual Thanksgiving tradition. In 2016, Dench intended to invite her grandson to her holiday celebration but mistakenly sent the message to Hinton. When Hinton realized the error, he humorously replied with a laughing emoji, but Dench invited him to dinner anyway, sparking a connection that would grow into a decade-long friendship.
The story quickly went viral, capturing the hearts of many across the nation. Despite life’s challenges, including Hinton’s move to Florida and Dench’s breast cancer diagnosis, their bond has remained strong. Dench recently celebrated her recovery from cancer, and Hinton is hosting a special Thanksgiving meal in partnership with Green Giant to mark the company’s 100th anniversary. Their story continues to inspire as they look forward to their 10th Thanksgiving together, a true testament to the power of chance encounters.