Arizona Woman and Stranger Celebrate 10 Years of Thanksgiving After Accidental Text

PHOENIX, Ariz. — November 27, 2025 — A chance text message sent to the wrong number has led to a decade-long Thanksgiving tradition between Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton of Arizona. The pair are preparing to celebrate their 10th Thanksgiving together, a friendship that began in 2016 when Dench accidentally invited Hinton to her holiday dinner instead of her grandson.

According to accounts from Dench and Hinton, the mix-up was quickly realized after Dench sent a photo to confirm her identity. Hinton responded with a message noting she was not his grandmother, accompanied by a laughing emoji. Despite the error, Dench invited Hinton to join her for Thanksgiving dinner, an offer he accepted.

Their story gained widespread attention on social media and has continued to resonate with many Americans. Dench described the experience as exciting and unexpected, noting the media attention that followed. She said meeting Hinton was “the best thing ever” and emphasized the sincerity of that sentiment.

Hinton recalled the moment as well, saying it occurred during his senior year of high school and that it elevated his social standing. He called the story a blessing from the beginning.

Over the years, their friendship has endured despite changes in Hinton’s residence, including moves out of Arizona and to Florida, as well as personal challenges such as the loss of Dench’s husband and her breast cancer diagnosis. Dench recently announced she is officially cancer-free.

Dench shared that her diagnosis was surprising because breast cancer does not run in her family and she believed she was beyond the typical age for such concerns. Initially hesitant to go public with her diagnosis, she was encouraged by friends and family to use her platform to raise awareness, especially among women in her age group. She stressed the importance of continuing regular health screenings, saying, “We still have a life to live.”

The annual Thanksgiving gathering between Dench and Hinton remains a symbol of unexpected connection and enduring friendship, celebrated by many across the country.