In 2016, a young man named Jamal Hinton received an unexpected text message from an unknown number. The message read: "Thanksgiving dinner is at my house on Nov. 24 at 3:00." Perplexed, Hinton inquired about the sender's identity.
The mystery messenger responded, claiming to be Hinton's grandmother. Doubtful, Hinton requested a photo, and upon receiving an image of a White woman who was clearly not his grandma, he playfully replied, "You're not my grandma. Can I still get a plate though?"
What followed is now considered one of the most heartwarming viral moments in the history of social media. The grandmother replied, "Of course you can. That's what grandmas do...feed everyone."
Hinton captured a screenshot of the text exchange, which quickly gained widespread attention online. True to his word, Hinton accepted the invitation and made the journey from Tempe, Arizona, to Mesa to celebrate Thanksgiving with the woman and her family. This unexpected encounter marked the beginning of a yearly tradition that has continued ever since.
The grandmother's name is Wanda Dench, and her accidental invitation to Thanksgiving dinner eight years ago created an enduring bond between her and Hinton – a heartwarming holiday story that has captured the hearts of many online.
Following the viral text exchange, Hinton gained a significant social media following and has regularly shared updates about his ongoing relationship with Dench throughout the years.
Some updates are happy. Hinton started dating a woman named Mikaela, whom Dench welcomed to Thanksgiving dinner, too. Some are sad. Dench's husband died from COVID-19 in 2020. Still, they got together that year, in a smaller gathering to honor Lonnie.
In 2023, Hinton announced on Thanksgiving that he and Dench had gone from "family" to business partners, launching an alkaline black water called BlackMP. And they don't just hang out on Thanksgiving. He's shared photos of them at events and dinners together at all times of the year.
This year, like the past seven, Hinton took to social media to update followers about his and Dench's holiday plans – which may include other people. "To celebrate our eighth Thanksgiving together (yes, eight!), we're partnering with @airbnb this year to host a couple extra seats at our table," he wrote on Instagram. "Booking for our favorite holiday tradition opens November 14 at 11am MST at the link in our bios. Join us!"
For just $16, Hinton and Dench are offering a stay with them at a Prescott Valley home on Thanksgiving.
Two friends, who became "family" after a text message mishap in 2016, have now listed their unique bond on Airbnb. Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton made headlines when she accidentally invited him to Thanksgiving dinner, thinking he was her grandson. Despite the mix-up, Hinton accepted the invitation and the two have celebrated the holiday together ever since. To commemorate their lasting friendship, Dench and Hinton have become Airbnb hosts and are offering guests the chance to join their holiday tradition. The listing description reads, "To commemorate our lasting friendship, we're excited to become Airbnb Hosts and welcome new guests into our holiday tradition, creating meaningful connections in the process." Someone has already booked the stay with Dench and Hinton.
This is not the first time Hinton has received an accidental text. Just recently, he shared a screenshot of someone mistakenly texting him, thinking he was their father. Despite these mishaps, Hinton has embraced the unexpected connections and continues to spread positivity.
CBS News has reached out to Hinton, Airbnb, and BlackMP for more information and is awaiting a response.
