Couple engaged for 4 years can finally have 'dream' wedding after winning $100,000 lottery
After a 4-year engagement, a North Carolina couple can finally say "I do" at a wedding ceremony of their dreams thanks to a lucky scratch-off ticket.
Jeremy McLean, an electrician from Roanoke Rapids, and his fiancé Heidi Hobbs, put their wedding plans on hold because they didn't have the extra money to throw a celebration. That changed on Tuesday when McLean bought a $20 scratch-off ticket and ended up winning $100,000.
“The first thought that ran through my head when he told me was, ‘We can finally get married,’” Hobbs said, according to a press release from the NC Education Lottery. “I don’t want anything fancy, just something simple to celebrate that we’re together.”
But the couple almost missed out on snagging the winning ticket.
On Tuesday night, according to the release, McLean stopped at a New Dixie Mart for a soda. While there, he spent $20 on a scratch-off ticket with a $5,000,000 jackpot. “I didn’t win anything on the ticket,” McLean told the NC Education Lottery. “I got back in my truck and started pulling out of the parking lot when something just said I should get another ticket.”
So, McLean, listening to his gut, reentered the store and bought another. This particular ticket had a $100,000 prize, and was a winner. After opening it, McLean immediately rushed home to show Hobbs. “He came in yelling, ‘I did it!’” Hobbs said. “When he showed me the ticket, I started jumping on the bed I was so excited. This feels like a dream!”
On Wednesday morning, McLean claimed his prize. After state and federal tax withholdings, he went home with $70,756.
“You’ve changed our lives forever. This is incredible,” McLean said while accepting his check. According to NC Educational Lottery, there are three $5 million prizes and five $100,000 prizes remaining. Lottery sales, such as the $5,000,000 Fortune, have raised over $700 million a year for education.
Jeremy McLean did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s requests for comment.
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