Florida couple wins $1 million scratch-off just 3 weeks before their first baby

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Duval County couple scratched their way to a six-figure win from the Florida Lottery – and their win could not have come at a better time.

When John Stanhill walked into an Exxon station in Jacksonville Beach recently and bought a 500X the Cash ticket, he already knew his life was about change, but in a completely different way.

Stanhill and his partner Victoria Oakley were expecting their first child in just a few weeks, making them winners in more ways than one.

“We won the lottery, and then we won the lottery again with our beautiful, healthy baby boy! All in three weeks’ time!” Oakley exclaimed in the Lottery’s statement announcing their win (or rather their wins).

The Lottery pointed out that its announcement had to wait until now because the new family has been so busy. The pictures released by the lottery offer a glimpse of their whirlwind weeks.

Stanhill, Oakley, and their dog Maya collect the winner's check. However, the lottery also shared a picture of the couple, Maya, and the Jacksonville Jaguars' littlest fan.

“Our lottery win has been such a huge relief for us. We’ve been able to fully focus on being new parents by putting our financial worries at ease,” the couple said. “We were able to start a college fund for our baby and plan on paying off student loans. We are over the moon with everything that’s happened!”

The couple elected to take the lump sum payment, which was worth $640,000, the Lottery said.