It’s turkey time, and you know what that means: an update on unlikely friends Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton, the internet’s favourite Thanksgiving grandma and guest.
This year marks the eighth Thanksgiving the duo have spent together since their text messages went viral in 2016. That year, then 59-year-old Dench sent a text inviting her grandson to Thanksgiving dinner. However, unbeknownst to the doting grandmother, her intended recipient had recently changed his number. As such, her invitation was instead delivered to then 17-year-old Hinton, who cleared up the mixup but jokingly asked if he could come along anyway.
To his surprise, Dench agreed, starting a Thanksgiving tradition that has lasted for years.
Viral Thanksgiving grandma and guest celebrate together for seventh year
Now 66 and 24, Dench and Hinton’s friendship still remains strong — though they have changed things up a bit for their 2023 Thanksgiving dinner. This year the pair partnered with Airbnb to let up to two guests celebrate with them, allowing random strangers to stay the night at Wanda’s house on Nov. 20. It’s rather apt considering having dinner with a stranger is how Dench and Hinton’s whole friendship started. Though Hinton probably didn’t have to pay a $16 booking fee (a number chosen in homage to the year they met).
Unfortunately Dench’s Twitter/X account has been hacked — she isn’t actually selling Macbooks for $275, so steer clear of that scam. However, Hinton was able to provide an update on the festivities via his own account, confirming that at least one new guest joined the two for Thanksgiving dinner.
It seems that when Dench said that grandmas feed everyone, she truly meant it.
