All of us have had an experience where we've accidentally dialed the wrong number. Usually, these interactions are brief and quickly forgotten about. But a mistaken number became the foundation of a friendship between two people that continues to grow every year.
Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton may have seemed like unlikely pals. But when Wanda, a grandmother, texted Jamal, who was just a teen at the time, her Thanksgiving plans by mistake, she figured she might as well invite him to the festivities. And shockingly, Jamal accepted.
At the time, Wanda thought she was messaging her actual grandson, Brandon Burgoyne. But in the process she gained an honorary grandson.
"It was so unexpected, but she was just so sweet about it," Jamal told People back when it happened. "It was a reminder that there are still some good people left in this world." The two bonded over the kind act and kept in touch. Unfortunately, some years were harder than others to gather together.
In 2020, things took a turn when both Wanda and her loving husband, Lonnie, contracted COVID-19. While Wanda recovered, Lonnie succumbed to the illness. Still, they made sure to honor him in pictures going forward, and Jamal posted some incredibly kind words. Despite the fact that they had only met a few times, Lonnie had already become family.
It looks like this year they're hoping to keep tradition alive for the sixth year in a row. Jamal often brings his girlfriend, Mikaela, who's also become an important fixture in the gathering. On Twitter, he shared a text he got from Wanda officially inviting them to come over.
"She is a very sweet lady, she told me her husband was a veteran and she always invited his friends over for dinner, so she's used to having a lot of people over," Jamal revealed to People. "I just got a vibe from her that made me feel at home." It turns out that Wanda got similar good vibes upon meeting Jamal.
"I just clicked when I met him and first talked to him," she told NBC News. "Oh my gosh, I want to get to know this guy." And judging by what he reveals about himself on Instagram, it seems like Jamal is a great person to know. While he doesn't post often, most of his posts celebrate kindness and love. And of course, Wanda and Lonnie are featured in many of his shared photos.
But their friendship is extremely impactful since it shows that two people with different backgrounds and from different generations can still form a connection — and it started all because of one kind gesture by Wanda. Wanda invited him over, because in her eyes, the more, the merrier. They formed a connection that will last forever.
While all wrong numbers might not have people as friendly and kind as Wanda and Jamal on the other end, sometimes it may be worth taking a chance to reply back instead of leaving someone on read. Not all of us will get Thanksgiving plans set for the next six years and counting, but we may meet someone who ends up changing our world.
But even if that never happens, you can also spend the holidays with Jamal and Wanda — well, sort of. Jamal has been making video recaps of the day, to make those following the story feel even more like they're part of it all. Watching the recaps is also a great way to memorialize Lonnie.
This annual meetup encompasses the true spirit of Thanksgiving. Sharing a meal with new friends is a great way to open your heart and your mind. It's unclear how long Wanda and Jamal plan on keeping up this tradition, but it's an inspiring visit each and every year. As Wanda said, per People, "Family is more than blood. It's the people you want to be with."
