"Grandma" And Stranger Spend Their 4th Thanksgiving Together

Thanksgiving is a holiday that means spending time with family. But apparently, that doesn’t always mean your blood-related family, as proven in the case of Jamal Hinton, 20, and Wanda Dench, 62, who spent a Thanksgiving dinner together four years ago, despite the fact that they were total strangers. Four years later? They definitely have what to be grateful for – a beautiful and unique friendship.

On that fateful week, Jamal received a random text from someone claiming to be “Grandma”, asking if he was coming to Thanksgiving. He instantly realized there must be a mixup, and asked her to send a photo. That Grandma was Wanda, and the text was meant for her real grandson, Justin. But Wanda told Jamal that the invitation was still open.

Jamal did end up joining Wanda and her family for Thanksgiving and it’s a good thing he did – they hit it off and formed a close friendship out of the experience. But that wasn’t the last they’d see of each other. Hinton and Dench have spent every Thanksgiving together since, teaching the world that family can mean so many things and that sometimes forming new traditions are a good thing.

These days, Hinton brings his girlfriend to “Grandma’s” annual Thanksgiving dinner. The beautiful friendship between Dench and Hinton defies so many boundaries and gives us all something to be thankful for.