Arizona Grandmother and Accidental Friend Celebrate Ninth Thanksgiving Virtually

Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton continue their heartwarming holiday tradition despite Dench's recovery from breast cancer treatment.

Wanda Dench, 67, and Jamal Hinton, 25, maintain their unique Thanksgiving tradition that began in 2016 with an accidental text message.
This year's celebration is virtual as Dench, recovering from chemotherapy for breast cancer, prioritizes her health and stays home in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
The pair have become like family over the years, supporting each other through life's challenges, including the loss of Dench's husband to COVID-19 in 2020.
Their story, which went viral in 2016, has inspired millions and is set to be adapted into a Netflix film, titled 'The Thanksgiving Text.'
Dench credits Hinton with changing her life for the better, while Hinton values their bond as a testament to the power of unexpected connections.