Man and Grandma Share Thanksgiving Plans, 5 Years After Meeting via Accidental Text

A man spends Thanksgiving Day with a grandma he met through accidental text messages since 2016. The grandma was supposed to send the text message to her grandson but sent it to someone else.

The 'historical' missent message

Wanda Dench thought that she was texting her grandson at that time during Thanksgiving Day. In her message, she invited her grandson over to celebrate the day but ended up sending the text message to Jamal Hinton.

The 21-year-old man, who was a teen at the time he met Dench, shared a photo of himself and the grandma. On his Twitter account, the duo's photo went viral as they celebrated Thanksgiving Day each year. They are also joined by Dench's husband, Lonnie Dench, during the event.

2016, 2017...... 2018 ️ pic.twitter.com/0ZNA54uGAS — Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 23, 2018

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According to Hinton and public statements by Dench, Lonnie died of complications due to COVID-19 on April 5. Hinton shared a photo of him and the 63-year-old grandma eating dinner with the man's girlfriend, Mikaela.

Grateful for all the people

Dench said in the YouTube video that since her husband died, it has been hard for her, noting that she also tested positive with the coronavirus. She is very grateful for all the people who sent their blessings, condolences, and well wishes for her.

She also said that while it will take a lot of time for her to move on with the loss, she felt the heartwarming gestures that people had sent to her. She knows it will help her get through the tough days ahead. Dench also shared that visits from the guys help perk her up.

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(Photo: Twitter/Jamal Hinton)

Grandma's late husband supported their celebration together

Hinton explained that Dench held a small celebration of life for her late husband after being together for 43 years. On Thursday, the 21-year-old told "Good Morning America" that Lonnie was very supportive of the man and grandma celebrating Thanksgiving together. He also said that the good friend helped Hinton and Dench with their whole Thanksgiving story.

How it all started

In 2016, Hinton was a high school senior when he received the accidental message sent by Dench. When he asked Dench to send a photo to confirm that the sender was his grandmother, what he received was a photo of a blond-haired grandma with eyeglasses. It just proved that the text message sender was not his grandmother.

Somebody grandma is coming in clutch this year!! Ayee!!! pic.twitter.com/QGrx83nHLl — Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 15, 2016

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He replied with a laughing emoji telling Dench that she is not his grandma. The man sent a selfie to let Dench know that she mistook him for her grandson. However, when Hinton asked if he could come over for dinner, Dench did not reject him; instead, he welcomed him with open arms.

This year is the duo's fifth year of celebrating Thanksgiving together. The 21-year-old explained that he is quarantining for two weeks so that he could have an in-person meal with Dench while still practicing social distancing.

Hinton said that getting together for a meal has become a huge part of their lives. He also noted that it felt great having people talk to them around the world and being touched by their story.