Grandma Sends Text To Wrong Person And Becomes ‘Adopted Nana’

Grandma sends message to wrong number but gains a new friend in the end

There is an old saying that goes, “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t met yet.” A chance text to a wrong number on her granddaughter’s birthday may have just turned two strangers into lifelong friends.

Jen Deaderick of Massachusetts got a text a few days ago from a woman named Opal who “sang” her Happy Birthday via text. Only it wasn’t Deaderick’s birthday and she didn’t know anyone named Opal. It turns out it was Opal’s granddaughter’s birthday and she had the wrong number. It also seems Opal’s emoji game is strong.

So Deaderick told Opal that she’d unfortunately sent her sweet message to the wrong person and Opal immediately responded with “Sorry. Have a blessed day.” While most people would have left it at that, Deaderick felt compelled to respond further.

“Our greatest and most important skill as humans is our ability to communicate and form communities.,” Deaderick told Scary Mommy. “We don’t survive terribly well on our own. So I’m always in favor of connecting over detaching in general because of that.”

Deaderick told Opal how grateful she was to have gotten the message — even though it wasn’t intended for her. “My name is Jen, I’m in my 40’s, and my birthday is in July. I wish my Nana was still around to send me great texts like this,” she wrote. “You’ve already given me a blessed day.”

And because grandmas are remarkable and sweet and made of everything that is right in this world, Opal offered to be Deaderick’s surrogate Nana. “Jen, I’d be happy to send this on your birthday on behalf of your Nana,” she wrote. “We are part of one big family!”

“I think it’s awesome to know that reaching out to each other can bring such happiness to others. Its truly a blessing,” Opal told Scary Mommy.

The two became fast friends, sharing pictures of their families, including one from Opal with a picture of the intended birthday song, her granddaughter, Samiya. Turns out, Deaderick has a daughter who is also 12.

Their spontaneous conversation only ended, Deaderick said, when Opal had to get ready for work. But she promised to “check in on” Deaderick again soon. She signed her last text, “Love your adopted Nana Opal.”

Is Opal available to take on any additional back-up grandchildren? Because we love her so much.

Deaderick wrote about the text exchange on Twitter, relieved to know there really are still good people out there.

This is the best thing on the internet today.