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Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Remember that guy who, back in 2016, received a random message from a random woman, claiming to be his grandma, inviting him for Thanksgiving dinner? Their story had some ups and, unfortunately, some downs too, but it’s still continuing.

Recently, the grandma and the “complete stranger” reunited for the fifth time and celebrated the upcoming Thanksgiving. Sadly, it was their first celebration without the mother’s husband around—if you recall, seven months ago, he passed away from COVID-19.

It all started back in 2016, when Wanda accidentally invited Jamal to her Thanksgiving dinner

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

This story started back in 2016, when Wanda accidentally invited Jamal to her Thanksgiving dinner via text. After the woman figured out that this kid she was texting wasn’t her grandson, she still didn’t shy away from inviting him to join the celebration.

After realizing that she wasn’t talking to her grandson, she invited him to join the celebration anyway

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

And that’s how Jamal became a regular guest at Wanda’s family’s Thanksgiving dinner. Every year, they would reunite and share some of the happy moments on their social media accounts.

After that, Jamal became a regular guest at Wanda’s family’s Thanksgiving dinner

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Unfortunately, at the beginning of the pandemic, Wanda and her husband Lonnie were diagnosed with COVID

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: jamalhinton12

After a week, Jamal shared the sad news that Lonnie had passed away

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

This year’s Thanksgiving celebration is the first one without Wanda’s husband around. Recently, Jamal and Wanda reunited for the fifth time, and they even placed a picture of Lonnie on the dinner table.

A few days ago, Jamal and Wanda had their first Thanksgiving without Wanda’s husband

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Jamalhinton12

Here’s how people reacted

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Theclumsyone1

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: bronxilla

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: TJ02072041

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: NicholausMedley

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: Gingerlea723

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: melanie_anneH

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: DivineFavorSing

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: BatteredMage

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: UnfilteredVicki

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

Image credits: brooklinegirl

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Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

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Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

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Julija Svidraitė is an editor here at Bored Panda who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Before starting her journey at BP, she had worked as a social media specialist at a marketing agency. She has also tried herself in a few different fields working as an intern: from practicing graphic design at a social media marketing agency, to being an assistant at a psychiatric hospital. Besides writing, Julija is also very passionate about illustrating, drinking coffee, and watching crime documentaries. You can find her in Bored Panda Office or reach her at julija.s@boredpanda.com.

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What do you think ?

POST

pebs 4 years ago

Very nice people, all of them.

12points

Raine Soo 4 years ago

Rest in peace, Lonnie. I guess Heaven needed another angel. Much hope and strength to Wanda, Jamal, family, and friends.

12points

Genevieve 2 years ago

i’ve never thought about it that way, the angel thing. thank you for helping me when a loved one passes!

0points

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CD Mills 4 years ago

I kind of fell in love with the whole bunch of them after first seeing this story. I know I wasn't the only one to feel this way. I've loved the yearly updates and was so sad to hear about Lonnie passing away but I'm glad Wanda and Jamal were able to still come together as the extended family they have become. We need more good, open hearted people embracing love like this!

9points

Full of Giggles 4 years ago

Their story has become a Thanksgiving tradition. People all over the world look forward to seeing new pictures and interviews from the family.

5points

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POST

pebs 4 years ago

Very nice people, all of them.

12points

Raine Soo 4 years ago

Rest in peace, Lonnie. I guess Heaven needed another angel. Much hope and strength to Wanda, Jamal, family, and friends.

12points

Genevieve 2 years ago

i’ve never thought about it that way, the angel thing. thank you for helping me when a loved one passes!

0points

Load More Replies...

CD Mills 4 years ago

9points

Full of Giggles 4 years ago

Their story has become a Thanksgiving tradition. People all over the world look forward to seeing new pictures and interviews from the family.

5points

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Related on Bored Panda

Remember The Grandma Who Accidentally Texted A Teen Inviting Him To Thanksgiving? They Reunite For The 5th Time, This Year Honoring Her Late Husband

It all started back in 2016, when Wanda accidentally invited Jamal to her Thanksgiving dinner

After realizing that she wasn’t talking to her grandson, she invited him to join the celebration anyway

After that, Jamal became a regular guest at Wanda’s family’s Thanksgiving dinner

Unfortunately, at the beginning of the pandemic, Wanda and her husband Lonnie were diagnosed with COVID

After a week, Jamal shared the sad news that Lonnie had passed away

A few days ago, Jamal and Wanda had their first Thanksgiving without Wanda’s husband

Here’s how people reacted

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Lukas Garnelis

Lukas Garnelis

Julija Svidraitė

Julija Svidraitė