The heartwarming friendship between a grandmother and the stranger she accidentally invited to Thanksgiving dinner three years ago has stood the test of time: They are still sharing the holiday together to this day.
In 2016, Wanda Dench wanted to give her grandchildren advance notice of the year's Thanksgiving plans — and sent a text to her "grandson." However, a then-17-year-old high school student named Jamal Hinton received the invitation instead.
After the two Arizona natives realized the mishap, Hinton asked if he could still attend the celebration. Dench replied, "Of course you can. That's what grandmas do...feed everyone."
The teen was so tickled by Dench's response that he shared the exchange with his friends, and then posted it on social media. The photos quickly went viral and now have over 44,000 retweets and 130,000 likes three years later.
The teen shared the meal with Dench that year and every year since — snapping adorable photos each holiday to commemorate their friendship.
"The first year I went I never would have thought we'd even stay in touch but once we actually got to know each other I knew we'd be good friends," Hinton told CBS News. "I don't see any end in sight to be honest."
They are spending the holiday together this year, but this time Hinton is inviting Dench and her husband to his girlfriend's family's celebrations. "I'm more excited this year than any year before!" he said. "I'm happy to have her meet everyone."
Dench echoed his sentiments, adding that she is also excited for one perk of Thanksgiving at another's home. "I'm glad I don't have to cook and clean this year," Dench told CBS News."We're looking forward to meeting all of the family."
But, like any grandma, she wont be coming empty handed and is bringing brownies to share with all at the table.
KinkaJac97 on November 28th, 2019 at 17:05 UTC »
This happened to me, but in reverse. I was the young man inviting the Grandma to celebrate the holidays with us. To preface: I work in the local big chain grocery store, and about a couple of years ago I was working in the front end. It was right around Thanksgiving, and anyone who has worked in retail or the grocery business knows it's a really busy time. Anyway it was the end of my shift about 8-9 pm and it was starting to slow down. I started to work on returning things to the shelf.
As I'm walking around the store I noticed a 75 year old woman looking at the Christmas display. We locked eyes, and I decided to to go over to ask if she needs help with something. Anyway we get to talking, and she explains to me that her husband loved the holiday season, and he always made it special. She then explained that he had passed away over the summer, and this would be the first Thanksgiving and Christmas she would spend without him. She also explained that they never had children, and that all her siblings were gone.
This meant she would be all alone for the holidays, as she's telling me this she begins to cry. I instinctively hug her and tell her it will be okay. I gave her my phone number and invited over for Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas. At first she didn't want to burden a stranger, but she eventually relented. I also never had a grandmother as they all had passed by time I was born. I've always had grandfathers, but not grandmothers. I kind of adopted her as my grandmother.
Anyway she's spent the past two Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easters, and birthdays together. I also invite her to family reunions, because at this point she's family. She's coming over this Thanksgiving as well.
spilled_water on November 28th, 2019 at 15:09 UTC »
That's a lie, grandma. I can't stop you from cooking or cleaning if my life depended on it.
Wolviam on November 28th, 2019 at 14:41 UTC »
I love how this became a regular yearly news