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.
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 remained friends since their chance encounter 10 years ago (JamalHinton12/Instagram)
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.
The accidental conversation that started it all ((X/@Jamalhinton12)
He added: “It’s amazing every year.
“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.
Grandma and stranger who she accidentally invited to Thanksgiving dinner explain why they spent holiday apart
Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton have spent the last eight Thanksgivings together, but this year they only spoke briefly
The day in which Wanda Dench and her unofficially adopted grandson didn’t spend Thanksgiving together was bound to come one day.
For those that don’t recall who Wanda and Jamal Hinton are, I’ll give you a quick recap – it goes all the way back to 2016, and involves a text to the wrong number.
Eight years ago, on the lead-up to the big day Wanda text who she though was her grandson inviting him over for dinner, adding that ‘Amanda and Justin’ were also invited too.
Hilariously, Jamal replied: “Who is those..”
“Your grandma,” Wanda replied.
The two exchanged selfies and a few more texts and Jamal asked if he could still take a spot up at her dinner table – and when she replied yes, it became a Thanksgiving tradition in the Dench household to have this once stranger round to dine with them.
Thanksgiving just gone would have been their ninth spent together, but heartbreakingly, the 67-year-old seemingly wasn’t up for hosting after she and Jamal announced to the world the awful news of her cancer diagnosis.
This year, the pair spent it together briefly over Instagram Live.
Jamal Hinton posted a picture of him a friend and Wanda Dench (X/Jamalhinton12)
Speaking on the social media platform, Wanda explained why they were spending the holiday apart: “I just recently finished up with chemotherapy, so I’m not 100 percent yet.
“And I live about two hours away from where Jamal lives. And so we decided that this year would be best for my health if I stayed at home.
“I was looking so forward to meeting his family and having turkey with everybody, but we have to accept things the way they are, and I’m sure next year is going to be so much better.”
In October, Jamal told of Wanda’s diagnosis through a series of pictures on Twitter.
The 25-year-old included screenshots of a statement that she wrote on iPhone Notes.
He captioned the post: “Here is a special message from Wanda.”
Her ‘Notes’ read: “Hi, my name is Wanda, you might know how we meant in 2016 when I accidentally sent him a text inviting him to Thanksgiving when I thought I sent it to my grandson.
Wanda Dench tragically received a cancer diagnosis in 2022 (X/Jamalhinton12)
“It went viral and it changed our life for the better and we still plan on getting together for Thanksgiving next month as we have every year.
“But what I want to let you know today is this month is Breast Cancer awareness month.”
She continued: “Earlier this year I came down with bronchitis and had a CT scan to check out my lungs. That’s when a mass in my breast was detected and they suggested I get a mammogram and that verified I had breast cancer.
“I am have been currently going through chemotherapy. Cancer does not run in my family and all the mammograms I had in the past were always negative.
“In 2022, | 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.”
She went on to explain how she received care from the Breast Cancer Center in Arizona and how her diagnosis has helped her see the world in a different light.
We wish you all the best, grandma Wanda Dench!
‘Brown Friday’ explained and why day after Thanksgiving is the busiest for plumbers
It has nothing to do with online shopping…
While most people think the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, plumbers across the States refer to it as Brown Friday — and I’m not sure you want to know why.
Those who are keen to get a bargain might have thought that Brown Friday has something to do with shopping, but I assure you it’s not.
Brown Friday is something that’s been coined by plumbers and I’m sure you can put two and two together when reading anything about plumbing and the color brown. If not then what’s about to come is on you, folks.
So, if Brown Friday isn’t the cousin of Black Friday and will see you bag the AirFryer you’ve had your eye on for 30 percent off, what actually is it?
Brown Friday explained
Plumbers across the US are gearing for up ‘Brown Friday’ (Getty Stock)
Brown Friday refers to the day after Thanksgiving that’s one of plumbers’ busiest days of the year.
According to plumbing, sewer, and drain service provider Roto-Rooter, the day after Thanksgiving sees a 50 percent spike in service calls, Fox News reports.
The holiday of course sees a host of delicious food being eaten, but said food can wreak havoc on your toilets and garbage disposals.
Roto-Rooter spokesperson Paul Abrams said Thanksgiving is ‘a perfect storm for plumbing emergencies’.
“With homes full of guests, extra showers, and marathon kitchen sessions, pipes and disposals are pushed to their limits,” he explained. “Add in greasy turkey drippings and food scraps, and it’s no wonder drains clog and toilets back up.”
What to do to prevent a plumbing emergency
Celery is supposedly one of the worst things you can put down the drain (Getty Stock)
Food wise, egg shells and potato skins are said to be some of the worst offenders when it comes to causing blockages. But there’s one that even worse: celery.
“Celery is incredibly fibrous,” plumber Patrick Garner told WTOP News. “When that comes down the drain, it’s breaking into these tough little strings, not unlike dental floss. That celery will bind up that disposal.”
Another culprit? ‘Flushable’ wipes. Garner said of these: “I am convinced whoever invented flushable wipes was a plumber, because they know that no wipes are flushable.”
People are urged to simply bin them instead to prevent any household horrors.
It’s also advised that people spread out showers and laundry loads to reduce strain on their plumbing; place plungers and wastebaskets in guest bathrooms; and to run the disposal while feeding it food scraps. Also, keep turkey drippings and grease away from your drains.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Grandma and stranger who she accidentally invited to Thanksgiving dinner plan to meet for eighth year
Jamal Hinton has said there are some ‘surprises’ in store as he prepares to spend another Thanksgiving with Wanda Dench
Thanksgiving is just over a month away, which means it’s nearly time for turkey, football, and the eighth annual get together between Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench.
Once strangers, all it took was one accidental text to bring together the two people who are now great friends, and enjoy the holiday together every year.
Honestly, is there a more wholesome story out there?
Even if you’ve not been following the tale of Jamal and Wanda from the start, then chances are you’ve stumbled upon their unlikely friendship at some point over the last few years, and the pair are now gearing up for their eighth Thanksgiving together.
It all started back in 2016, when Wanda attempted to text her grandson and invite him to Thanksgiving dinner, but accidentally sent the message to Jamal.
Deciding to shoot his shot, Jamal asked if he could ‘still get a plate’ despite being a complete stranger.
“Of course you can,” Wanda replied. “That’s what grandma’s do… feed every one.”
Jamal jumped at the chance to attend the Thanksgiving dinner, and after Wanda invited him again the following year, he settled into a tradition of spending the holiday with his newfound friend.
X users who followed the story have only become more and more overjoyed each year, and in May, Jamal revealed that fans would be able to watch the pair work together on TV as they teamed up for the game show The Cube.
With their bond stronger than ever, Jamal also confirmed this week that he would be enjoying Thanksgiving with Wanda once again this year, though there might be a few surprises in store for fans.
In a post on X, Jamal revealed that he had once again been the recipient of a wrong-number text.
“Hey… how are ya? I miss ya,” the text read.
Confused, Jamal asked who was texting, and received a message to say it was from his ‘long lost daughter’.
Pointing out that he didn’t have any kids, Jamal responded to the text to introduce himself and wish the texter luck with getting in touch with their dad as they’d been trying to do in the first place.
Jamal didn’t reveal whether he’d managed to develop another Wanda-like friendship through this accidental text, but he did indicate it could link in some way to this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations.
Alongside screenshots of the exchange, he wrote: “Thanksgiving around the corner and I am still receiving text from random number! Year 8 plans are set with a great surprise!!!”
We’ll have to wait and see exactly what Jamal and Wanda have in store this year, but if their track-record is anything to go by it’s sure to be something wholesome!
Father of woman who became the face of Wendy’s franchise revealed why he regretted letting her do it
Wendy from Wendy’s was just a little girl when her dad made a life-changing decision
Wendy’s is one of the most recognisable restaurants in the US, with its logo of a happy, smiling girl with brown pigtails.
But many people might not be aware that girl is Wendy Thomas Morse, the daughter of Dave Thomas, who founded Wendy’s.
Wendy was just eight years old when her father decided that he was going to name his fast food restaurant after one of his five children.
In the end, it was Wendy who was chosen, with pictures from a photoshoot showing her with the distinctive pigtails and gingham dress from the logo.
Of course, the restaurant would go on to become wildly successful, and wherever they opened up a new franchise, Wendy’s face went with it.
And this came with its own set of complications.
Wendy posing outside a restaurant (Will And Deni McIntyre/Getty Images)
Wendy recalled in an interview with PEOPLE that she would often find it difficult to share that she was actually famous.
“I mean, there were times I didn’t want people to know because I didn’t want them to have assumptions,” she said.
Not only that, but she felt a lot of responsibility towards the business that she was the face of.
“But it was something I really took on as a responsibility and just was very proud,” she said. “But I would never, if I met a lot of new people, I would never tell them who I was. It’s usually someone else that says it. And then it gets awkward and then it gets all better.”
Wendy even said that her father had come to regret his decision to name the restaurant after her due to the effect it had on her life.
Wendy when she posed for the picture (Wendy Thomas Morse/Wendy’s)
“Probably 10 years before my dad passed, we talked about my name and namesake, and he just goes, ‘I’m really sorry I did that to you,’ which was really… to hear your father say, ‘Probably should just named it Dave’s and that’d been a lot easier,’ was a lot,” she said.
While she didn’t hold it against her father, Wendy revealed that it was still a relief that he acknowledged it.
“And I said, ‘Well, of course, but that’s a long time ago.’ But it was just nice to hear that he felt for me a little bit, like the pressure and the responsibility of being the namesake of a restaurant,” she said.
Wendy went on to say that since losing her dad, the sign has even come to be a source of comfort.
“That was just a really cool moment for me and my dad,” she said. “So it just keeps me going. And today, I look at the sign and I just see my dad.”