What a better way to celebrate your birthday than winning big time money. Well, apparently this happened to a Mason City citizen who got a delayed birthday present this week: a $1 million lottery prize. Lottery numbers.

Pat Herman, who turned 51 on Monday, grabbed a $1 million top prize Friday in the “Lifetime Riches” instant-scratch game. The Mason City resident had a lucky winning streak as he earned $50 on another scratch game. His luck took place at the Kum & Go, 1224 N. Federal Ave., Mason City, where he cashed in.

Herman said when he wins a small cash prize he sometimes uses part of his winnings to buy more $20 scratch tickets, in this case, Lifetime Riches… the ticket he purchased that won him one million dollars. Lottery checker.

“I was scratching my tickets when suddenly I saw the ‘$40,000.’ I scratched a little further and I saw ‘for 25 years.’ And then I started shaking.”

Herman said he returned to the store right away to have his winning ticket reviewed and validated.  Something funny happened minutes later when Pat decided to drive back home, as he learned that his brother, Steve Herman, who lives next door to him, had been one ticket away from taking the top prize himself.

“I saw the (winning) ticket and I was looking at it and I knew I’d bought one the night before,” Steve Herman said. “And his was No. 11 and I knew mine was No. 12.”

Pat Herman works as a welder at Curries. He said he already had a new Ford pickup ordered before his big win, and winning the prize will help make paying for the truck a little easier. Lottery winning numbers.

For the best lotto prizes, tickets and odds go to www.lottery.com