'Accidental Grandma' Thanksgiving Tradition Bittersweet This Year

MESA, AZ — The unlikely friendship between a grandmother and young man centered around Thanksgiving dinner continues amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The bond between Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton, now 21, began four years ago when Dench, by mistake, sent Hinton a text message meant for her own grandson. It was an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner.

Hinton responded that the message was sent in error, but asked if he could still get a plate at the Dench family's Mesa home, according to a CNN report.

"Of course you can," Dench responded. "That's what grandmas do ... feed everyone!"

Related On Patch: Accidental Text Starts A Thanksgiving Tradition

The "accidental Grandma" story went widespread when Hinton did show up for dinner. And it turned into a tradition, with the then-teenager sharing a photo of himself and his girlfriend, Mikaela, at the Dench home on Thanksgiving every year since.

It was a bittersweet way to continue the tradition this year, however. An empty chair was left at the table where Lonnie Dench, Wanda Dench's husband of 43 years, would usually sit. Lonnie Dench died earlier this year due to complications from the coronavirus.

Related On Patch: 'Accidental Grandma' Who Invited Wrong Teen To Thanksgiving Dinner Loses Husband To Coronavirus

"I wasn't looking forward to it at first because Lonnie wasn't going to be there. The past seven months have been so difficult, but this was really important to me," Wanda Dench told CNN.

Hinton told Good Morning America Lonnie Dench was a "good friend" who was "very supportive" of the accidental friendship.

Somebody grandma is coming in clutch this year!! Ayee!!! pic.twitter.com/QGrx83nHLl
— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 15, 2016

Wanda Dench and Hinton held their annual Thanksgiving tradition a week early this year, so they could both get tested for the virus before spending the actual holiday with their own families and not having to worry about spreading the disease.

The tradition has become "a huge part of our lives," Hinton said.

"It's great being part of something so loving and having people around the world to talk to us and being touched by our story."

Read more via CNN and Good Morning America