Viral Thanksgiving duo marks 10 years as Wanda Dench celebrates with Jamal Hinton

An Arizona grandmother and the young man she mistakenly texted nearly a decade ago are preparing to celebrate their tenth Thanksgiving together, a tradition that has grown from a simple error into a widely followed story of friendship. The enduring bond between Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton continues to draw national attention, Fox News Digital reported.

The pair met in 2016 after Dench inadvertently sent a Thanksgiving invitation to Hinton while intending to message her grandson. When the two exchanged photos to confirm the mix-up, Hinton jokingly responded that she was “not my grandma.” Despite the mistake, Dench invited him to join her family’s holiday dinner — an offer he accepted, sparking a connection that has lasted for ten years.

Dench told Fox News Digital she remembers the moment clearly because of the unexpected media attention and the friendship that resulted. She described meeting Hinton as “the best thing ever,” noting that the relationship has been a meaningful source of support over the years.

Hinton said the experience was life-changing, recalling that the viral story happened during his senior year of high school. He described the tradition as a continuous blessing, even as both of their lives changed through moves, personal challenges, and loss.

This year's gathering carries additional significance, as Dench shared that she is officially cancer-free following a breast cancer diagnosis. She said she initially hesitated to disclose her condition publicly, but family members and Hinton encouraged her to speak out to raise awareness — especially for older women who may feel they are past the age of needing regular screenings.

Dench said she has received an outpouring of supportive messages since sharing her diagnosis last October, including from women inspired to remind older relatives about mammograms.

Hinton told Fox News Digital he appreciates how their feel-good story continues to resonate each year. For their 10th Thanksgiving, Hinton will act as host, with the meal catered through a collaboration with Green Giant in honor of the company’s 100th anniversary.

Dench said she looks forward to the holiday and enjoys everything on the menu, calling the annual celebration another reminder of how a single unexpected text can create lasting connections.