The errant text message that became an uplifting tradition returns for its ninth year, reuniting a black man with the white grandmother who by accident invited him to Thanksgiving in 2016, resulting in an annual holiday gathering that has since become unexpected friends into a national treasure.

Wanda Dench, 67, and Jamal Hinton, 26, plan to kick off one other holiday season together on Thursday after spending Thanksgiving at Dench’s home in Prescott, Ariz., for the past eight years, starting with meeting strangers in an accidental text exchange. .

Since then, their unlikely friendship has turn into the annual Thanksgiving tradition the country never knew it needed – a rare, feel-good story of connection and community that transcends racial and political divides while highlighting the true spirit of the holiday, ultimately proving that only one bad number can create a bond that may last a lifetime.

However, Thanksgiving dinner might be different this year resulting from a recent discovery in Dench’s life.

Ahead of this year’s holidays, Hinton shared an uplifting Instagram post with a collage of photos documenting his ongoing friendship with Dench. In the signature he wrote“I’m excited to announce that I’m hosting a Thanksgiving for Wanda and me this year! I look forward to a day filled with good food, great company and lasting memories. Grade 9 coming soon!”

The announcement of their ninth Thanksgiving together comes just a month after Dench shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the difficult news, the couple stays committed to their annual reunions, showing the enduring strength of their friendship in each good and bad times.

Four years ago, Wanda Dench shared the heartbreaking news that her husband Lonnie had died of Covid-19.

She recently opened up about her cancer diagnosis after a CT scan for bronchitis revealed a lump in her breast. The discovery got here as a shock, as Dench had explained that cancer doesn’t run in her family and that her previous mammograms had all the time been negative.

“I turned 65 in 2022 and I thought I would have my last mammogram and I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore. But I was wrong.” she wrote.

Throughout her treatment, Dench remained hopeful, specializing in the support she received from “wonderful people.” She shared her experience to remind others to value life and actively take care of their health, especially by visiting their doctor usually.

“I have learned many life lessons from all this, but above all I want to emphasize that we still have life ahead of us,” she wrote. “So keep getting your checkups and live YOUR life!”

When she by accident texted Hinton a Thanksgiving invitation in 2016 – she had intended to text her grandson, but his old phone number now belonged to Hinton – the 17-year-old exchanged texts and photos together with her and then jokingly he asked, “Can I still have the plate?” to which Dench replied: “Of course you can. That’s what grandmas do… they feed everyone.”

True to his word, Hinton showed up and the pair’s story quickly went viral on social media, with many individuals inspired by their unlikely friendship.

In 2021, Netflix announced that it plans to adapt this heartwarming story into a film titled “Thanksgiving Text.”

“We hope this will inspire more people to reach out and make connections they wouldn’t normally make,” Hinton and Dench said in a statement shared by Netflix at the time. (*9*)

If you are a Black woman and also you missed Black Girl Day Off on October 11, don’t be concerned – your next likelihood to unwind is just across the corner. It’s December 2, 2024 National Black Women’s Day of Resta day where the priority is the peace, joy and restoration that we so richly deserve. This is one other beautiful reminder that we deserve rest every day and in every way.

It’s no secret that for Black women, rest is each restorative and revolutionary. In a society that too often demands strength from us but neglects our humanity, the choice to rest is an act of resistance. It’s saying “no” to systems that usually exploit our labor and “yes” to our own peace and prosperity.

Movements like Black Girl Day Off and Ministry of Snoozing they showed us how vital rest is – not just for our bodies, but additionally for our souls. They remind us that the relentless pace of life is unsustainable, especially for Black women who’re so often expected to hold the burden of the world. National Day of Rest builds on this legacy, offering us one other moment to interrupt the hamster wheel of expectation and enter a space of renewal.

What higher time to do that than after Thanksgiving? Whether you spend the vacations giving like to family and friends – cooking, hosting, managing (and let’s be honest, mediating), December 2 is your likelihood to flip the script and let the gratitude flow inward. This day is about aside for giving thanks – for all that you simply do and for the straightforward proven fact that you deserve rest just because you exist.

If Black Girl Day Off was the exhale you didn’t know you needed, think of National Day of Rest as a second deep breath. So sister, put all of it aside and find rest in your individual way.

• Plan ahead: Inform your boss, co-workers, clients and family members that you simply intend to celebrate the National Day of Rest. If possible, delegate responsibilities or reschedule responsibilities.
• Disconnect to reconnect: Turn off notifications, sign off of social media and permit yourself to be unreachable.
• Give yourself over to what makes you joyful: This might mean sleeping in, reading your favorite book, dancing to a feel-good playlist, spending time with friends, or simply sitting in silence. Whatever it’s, make it holy.

Black women have at all times been those to indicate up – in our families, our communities, and our workplaces. But because the saying goes, you possibly can’t pour from an empty cup. The National Day of Rest reminds us that our well-being is as vital as all the things we give to the world. In fact, it’s the idea of all the things.

Whether you missed Black Girl Day Off otherwise you’re itching to double up, December 2 is your day to take back what’s yours. Take a nap. Light a candle. Cancel plans. Rest shouldn’t be selfish; it’s essential.

And if anyone asks, tell them, “It’s National Black Women’s Day of Rest – I’m coming.”