Wrong Text Creates LASTING Tradition

A couple sitting on a cliff watching the sunset over the ocean

A decade-long viral Thanksgiving tradition started with an unexpected text message.

Story Snapshot

An unexpected text message in 2016 led to a long-lasting friendship.
The unique relationship has been commercialized through an Airbnb partnership.
Wanda Dench recently completed chemotherapy, impacting their celebrations.
The story challenges assumptions about race and generational divides.
Netflix produced a film documenting this viral friendship.

A Viral Text That Started It All

In November 2016, Wanda Dench accidentally sent a Thanksgiving invitation to Jamal Hinton, a stranger. Instead of ignoring the mix-up, Jamal humorously asked if he could still join. This text exchange went viral, capturing hearts nationwide and leading to their first Thanksgiving together in Mesa, Arizona. Over the years, the story has become emblematic of unexpected bonds and cross-cultural friendships.

Since the initial dinner, the pair have celebrated Thanksgiving together annually, even maintaining the tradition through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and Dench’s personal loss. The friendship has been documented extensively on social media, further solidifying its place in popular culture.

A Partnership with Airbnb

In 2025, Hinton and Dench partnered with Airbnb to offer a Thanksgiving experience at a Prescott Valley home. This venture, priced at $16, symbolizes the friendship’s commercialization, sparking debates on the authenticity of social media-driven relationships. While some see it as an opportunity to spread their message of connection, others question the implications of such commercialization on the genuine nature of their bond.

Beyond this partnership, their story has been immortalized through a Netflix film, “The Thanksgiving Text,” which highlights the cultural significance of their friendship and its impact on broader conversations about race and unity.

Continued Challenges and Triumphs

Wanda Dench’s recent battle with breast cancer has added a layer of complexity to their celebrations. Despite completing chemotherapy, she remains vocal about the importance of health checkups and living life to its fullest. Her openness about her health challenges has resonated with many, underscoring the bond’s depth beyond social media appearances.

The relationship between Dench and Hinton continues to evolve, demonstrating resilience amidst life’s trials. Their story challenges conventional narratives and invites audiences to reconsider the potential for unexpected connections to foster genuine, lasting relationships.