A grandma will spend the eighth consecutive Thanksgiving with a man she accidentally texted in 2016, as they have developed a wonderful friendship.
Thanksgiving is almost upon us for another year, and once you get over the fear of how fast time is going, the day is usually pretty fun.
Whether you're spending the day with family or friends, there's usually a lot of food involved so that's always a good time.
In 2016, Wanda Dench contacted her family to get them organized for the big day when she accidentally texted the wrong number, per ABC News.
The text message ended up going to Jamal Hinton, 24, who was initially a bit shocked but soon cheekily inquired if he could still snag a plate at Grandma Dench's Thanksgiving table. To everyone's delight, she wholeheartedly welcomed him into her home that year.
The unexpected bond only grew stronger over the years, surviving the trials of 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic loomed large. Tragically, Wanda Dench's husband, Lonnie, succumbed to the virus that year.
Despite their unique origins, the Hinton-Dench Thanksgiving tradition perseveres. Hinton took to social media to write: "Thanksgiving around the corner and I am still receiving text from random number! Year 8 plans are set with a great surprise!!!"
Their connection transcends the Thanksgiving table, too. The pair recently ventured onto the television game show The Cube, where they competed for a chance to win a generous $250,000 prize.
Dench shared with host Dwyane Wade that they had evolved into a family of sorts and dined out together throughout the year, as reported by People.
On the show, it was also revealed that Hinton had only tried his hand at cooking a Thanksgiving dinner once in the past six years. Grandma Dench stepped in to guide him through the process, showing him the "old school" way of preparing a meal, which Hinton noted consisted of steak, chicken, and rice.
The pair dine with each other throughout the year and Dench told Today: "He's literally changed my life and my point of view on young generations about being open to friendships when you think you have nothing in common with somebody.
"But when you just sit and talk to them? Oh my gosh..."
Hinton echoed these sentiments: "I honestly don't know where I would be sometimes. It's amazing to have her as a friend and as my family. We always talk about — I told her, 'The cameras and the fame can stop tomorrow and nothing is changing between us.'"
Dench joked that she's not so much into texting and would prefer to talk over the phone, but Hinton is on hand to get her up to speed on everything.
We hope the pair have a great Thanksgiving meal this year - and many more years to come!
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