Almost a decade after accidentally sending a text message to a stranger, Wanda Dench has plans to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jamal Hinton for a ninth straight year.
In 2016, Wanda Dench of Mesa, Arizona, sent a text message to what she thought was her grandson's phone, inviting him over for Thanksgiving dinner. However, her grandson had recently changed his phone number and instead, she messaged Jamal Hinton, who was sitting in class at Desert Vista High School.
The texts confused both parties until they exchanged photos and realized a mistake had been made. That didn't stop Jamal from asking if he could still come over. She responded saying, "Of course you can. That's what grandmas do...feed everyone."
The tradition will continue again this year, however, Jamal has plans to host this time around.
"Excited to announce that I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year for Wanda and I!' said Jamal in a post on X. "Looking forward to a day filled with good food, great company, and lasting memories. Year 9 coming soon!"
Excited to announce that I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year for Wanda and I! 🦃✨ Looking forward to a day filled with good food, great company, and lasting memories. Year 9 coming soon! pic.twitter.com/HgDuJpjK8Y
— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 25, 2024
The pair have shared many ups and downs throughout this friendship. In 2020, Wanda lost her husband Lonnie to COVID-19, and in October, Wanda announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"Earlier this year I came down with bronchitis and had a CT scan to check my lungs," said Wanda in a post on X. "That's when a mass in my breast was detected and they suggested I get a mammogram and that verified I had breast cancer."
Wanda says cancer does not run in her family and all the mammograms she had in the past were always negative.
"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."
Wanda is currently undergoing chemotherapy and says the support she has been receiving from friends and family has been overwhelming.
Here is a special message from Wanda🌺 pic.twitter.com/KDTWktDPfN
— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) October 16, 2024
In 2021, Netflix announced they had plans to turn their story into a movie called The Thanksgiving Text. A release date has not yet been announced.
Wanda and Jamal say they love sharing their story with the world and hope to continue their tradition for years to come.
"We hope it inspires more people to reach out and make connections that they wouldn’t ordinarily make. We are so blessed to find a genuine friendship brought together by God from a mistaken text message.”