The Viral Wrong Text That Accidentally Created A Decade-long Thanksgiving Tradition

In this cyclical age of trends, when the Internet is constantly throwing up one “viral” post after another, it is hard to truly recall what occurred even a week ago on the World Wide Web. But there remains a story so memorable, so wholesome, that even the ones hopping from one social media app to another take a moment to sit back and appreciate that the human connections made, even if accidental, trump all the bad we see online. If you are new to this Thanksgiving meetup story, you are in for a treat. And if you are already in the know, the two are spending their 10th Thanksgiving together!

Here’s how it all began, and turned into a yearly ritual.

Thanksgiving – 2016

Jamal Hinton received a text message from Wanda Dench, who mistook him for her grandson and invited

him for Thanksgiving.

They exchanged selfies, and through this quick detective work, it was concluded that Hinton was, in fact, not her grandson. The then 17-year-old reached out to Dench and wondered if the offer for a Thanksgiving meal still stood.

Dench, the Internet’s favourite grandma, responded in the most grandma way.

“You not my grandma..Can I still get a plate tho?”.

Dench happily agreed and invited him for the feast and responded, “Of course, you can. That’s what grandma’s do….feed everyone.”

This unexpected invitation, jokingly accepted by Hinton, turned into a yearly reunion between the two strangers who became family and then unlikely business partners.

Somebody grandma is coming in clutch this year!! Ayee!!! pic.twitter.com/QGrx83nHLl

— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 15, 2016

Yearly Wholesome Reminders

Hinton uploads photos of the duo’s Thanksgiving reunion to remind the world that their warm relationship has only grown stronger year after year.

2016, 2017…… 2018 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0ZNA54uGAS

— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 23, 2018

During their seventh reunion, Hinton revealed that the two were “business partners” for they were sponsored by a brand for their much-awaited Thanksgiving photo.

Thanksgiving year 7! 🦃🖤 From year 1 as strangers, to year 7 as family but now BUSINESS PARTNERS! I’m very thankful for my family, friends, fans. Check out our website for our alkaline black water @ https://t.co/kkQK0pViKB special discount code: THANKSGIVING pic.twitter.com/xuZhuDgus6

— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 25, 2022

Ninth Thanksgiving – Heartache

In their ninth year together, the news everyone dreaded finally arrived. Just before Thanksgiving, Dench received a breast cancer diagnosis. It was discovered completely by chance, during a routine CT scan for bronchitis, when doctors spotted a lump.

The grandma shared that she had been through sessions of chemotherapy and was in her recovery stage. Dench expressed disappointment that the two couldn’t meet for their yearly feast together, but remained hopeful.

“I was looking so forward to meeting his family and having turkey with everybody… I’m sure next year is going to be so much better”.

The duo, however, used their smartphones to catch up on an Instagram Live session.

A Decade Of Union

Nine years passed. Hinton turned into an adult. Dench lost her husband. And then, she was diagnosed with cancer. But guess what? The Thanksgiving duo met up for their 10th anniversary, and the Internet couldn’t have asked for more.

Hinton and Dench once again partnered up to remind everyone they were going strong and their bond had just clocked a decade. Feel old yet?

Wanda and I are excited to partner with Green Giant for our 10th Thanksgiving. Make sure to follow along! pic.twitter.com/03Zx4Gbw5g

— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 5, 2025

“Made Me Smile”

The news of their 10th Thanksgiving reunion made Reddit smile really hard.

“This has always been my favorite Thanksgiving story. So wholesome,” wrote one user.

“Me too! I look forward to their updates each year. I adore their story and the traditions that arose from that text message!”

“This is such a wonderful life story, why hasn’t there been a Hallmark movie about it?”

We are happy to report that Dench is cancer-free as of her last check-up, Today.com confirmed.