‘Thanksgiving Grandma’ and Friend Celebrate Year 9 Amid Recent Diagnosis

A heartwarming Thanksgiving tradition continues for Wanda Dench, affectionately known as the "Thanksgiving Grandma," and her once-accidental-text recipient turned close friend, Jamal Hinton. This year marks their ninth Thanksgiving together, and for the first time, Hinton is hosting the celebration.

“Excited to announce that I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year for Wanda and I!” Hinton shared on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by photos chronicling their years of friendship. “Looking forward to a day filled with good food, great company, and lasting memories.”

The tradition started in 2016 when Judi Dench mistakenly texted a then-17-year-old, inviting him to Thanksgiving dinner. After realizing her mistake, she still invited him to join her family for the meal. This invitation sparked a friendship that has lasted nearly a decade.

This year, the celebration carries special significance. Dench, 67, was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in 2024 and has been undergoing treatment. Despite the challenges of chemotherapy, she plans to travel from Prescott Valley to Phoenix for the holiday.

“I feel blessed to have him in my life,” Dench told The Arizona Republic. “He’s changed my life for the good, and so we’re going to make it work.”

Hinton shared a similar message, highlighting how important it is to appreciate the people we care about. “You never know when it might be the last time you have dinner with someone,” he said. “The food isn’t as important as the time you spend together.”

Their story has touched many people beyond Arizona, who look forward to the updates on what some call the "most wholesome thing on the internet." Dench, who lost her husband Lonnie to COVID-19 in 2020, credits Hinton for bringing joy during difficult moments.

This year's gathering will focus more on connection than on food, especially in light of Dench's recent diagnosis. Her renewed perspective emphasizes the importance of being with loved ones, stating, "For me, it’s about being with the people that I love."

As our favorite Thanksgiving duo looks ahead, Dench remains hopeful about embracing new chapters. Inspired by The Golden Bachelor, she says she's open to finding love again, while remaining deeply grateful for the friendship that started with the best accidental text ever nine years ago.