Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench Gear Up for Their 10th Thanksgiving Reunion

The internet’s favorite chosen family is gearing up for a milestone celebration that started with a wrong number and turned into a heartwarming tradition.

Jamal Hinton will be opening his kitchen for “grandma” Wanda Dench ten years after their unexpected bond first made headlines. Back in 2016, Dench accidentally texted Hinton thinking he was her grandson. Instead of ignoring it, Hinton pulled up for dinner and the pair have reunited almost every Thanksgiving since.

With their tenth feast approaching, the duo recently spoke with TODAY to reflect on how much their lives have changed. Hinton said their connection has blossomed into something bigger than a viral moment.

“It is like having a mentor, in a way. A mentor, a best friend, a grandma, all in one bucket,” he shared.

Dench revealed how their friendship carried her through difficult chapters, including the loss of her husband Lonnie to COVID-19 in 2020 and her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2024. She shared that she is now cancer free.

“We still have a life to live. We still have hopes and dreams for our future no matter how long it is gonna be,” Dench said. She added that Lonnie believed their story was part of a larger purpose. “It was about healing the country, is what he said. And He is just using Jamal and me as tools.”

Dench encouraged others to “follow your heart” and stay open to unexpected connections. Hinton echoed the sentiment, adding, “I call, Wanda picks up. So I just hope that we are there as long as we can be for each other.”

Their Netflix film, “The Thanksgiving Text,” is still in development.

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