Gerrard Kaonga
A chance encounter between a grandmother and a stranger blossomed into a sweet tradition where the pair meet each year for Thanksgiving.
Ten years ago, grandmother Wanda Dench, from Arizona, sent a text out hoping to get her grandson to sort out plans for Thanksgiving, only to end up texting a stranger.
What would have normally simply been a forgotten blunder has turned into a yearly meeting.
Dench messaged teenager Jamal Hinton who asked her to confirm who she was with a picture. Sending one back, Dench realized her error but Hinton’s cheeky response is likely why the pair are still friends to this day.
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He asked, regardless of the blunder, whether he could still get a plate of food, and Dench agreed, standing by her invite to celebrate Thanksgiving.
The pair have met each year since, with 2025 being the tenth year they join for the celebration. Both spoke to People about the fame this chance encounter has garnered and how both of their lives have been made richer because of their friendship.
She said: “I know it was fate. All the signs beforehand just fell into place. I feel every day I’m grateful and blessed because I would've never met somebody as wonderful as Jamal just randomly like that.”
For the tenth meet up, the pair are partnering with Green Giant, as the brand celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Hinton added: “Partnering with them for our 10th year makes this even more special.
“Sharing our 10th year — alongside Green Giant’s 100th anniversary — makes this holiday feel especially meaningful.”
Hinton also touched on the story sparking joy across the world and popping up to go viral all over again each Thanksgiving.
“People get so excited to see us. As a kid, I always dreamed of being famous, so to know our story brings joy to people — it means everything.”
Dench felt more apprehensive about regularly going viral adding that it did make her nervous.
While laughing, she said: “I used to think people might get tired of us hogging up the news.
“But every time someone says the kindest thing, I’m reminded that we bring joy. That’s worth everything.”
While there are many traditions for Thanksgiving that eventually fall by the wayside, it is nice to see this one is still alive and kicking.