Wilmington couple talk about winning $1 million from scratch-off ticket

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For millions of people, winning the lottery is a dream come true.

And for one Wilmington couple, they hit it big last week.

Wilmington resident Krystal Hastings thought she had drawn another loser after finishing the scratch-off she had bought last week at the Harris Teeter in Mayfaire.

Even after her husband, James Patana, explained to her that she had won $1 million, there was still some doubt.

Doubt that finally went away once they were handed the check for their winnings in Raleigh.

Patana said these winnings will help change their lives.

“When we lay in bed sometimes at night, you kind of just think about all we’ve been through and how many times we’ve told each other, it’s going to be alright,” Patana said. “Things are going to change eventually.”

Patana said she will keep on working as a contractor, with the couple planning to use their winnings to buy a new house, pay off debts and get Krystal a new car.