GREENSBORO, NC -- How many times have you said, "I wish I could win the lottery!"
We never expect it's actually going to happen but we all hope.
But for one man in the Triad, that wish came true...twice!
Ralph Havis, the owner of Beef Burger on Gate City Boulevard, won $150,000 on two different occasions.
He won by playing scratch off tickets that he bought in Greensboro.
Sadly, Mrs. Havis is no longer around. She died in January.
But before she passed away, she and her husband would come to this store and buy scratch off tickets.
"It was something that me and her always had done together. It's hard. It makes me think of her more when I am in there scratching the tickets," said Havis. "A lot of times, if I am by myself, it makes me cry. So, it helps me.
It's their love for the games and for each other, that has Ralph thinking she helped him win from above.
WFMY News 2's Ben Powell caught up with Havis on Wednesday, which was just another busy day at Beef Burger.Havis on Wednesday, which was just another busy day at Beef Burger.
But the decades old restaurant has some new decor on the wall.
Hanging in the back is Havis' $150,000 lottery winning check!
"I said I can't believe it! I can't believe it! I kept looking at it and looking at it," said Havis. "I was expecting maybe to win $10 or $15 and then there it was, $150,000."
To make things even more unbelievable -- Havis actually won the exact same amount in the exact same way at the exact same store two years ago!
The winnings are the same, but this time, the win means so much more.
"My wife died January 30," said Havis. "I feel like between God and her, they led me to that money."
Before she passed away, Havis' wife, Alma, had arthritis which limited her ability to get around well.
So, to get her out of the house, Ralph would take her to the store every day after work to buy scratch off tickets.
Now, even though she's gone, he keeps their lottery dreams alive.
"It's hard. It makes me think of her more when I am in there scratching the tickets," said Havis. "A lot of times, if I am by myself, it makes me cry. So, it helps me."
Ralph Havis has been working at Beef Burger for 55 years, since he was 18-years-old.
He now owns the restaurant and says as long as he has his health he will keep selling hamburgers.
After taxes, Havis took home a little more than $103,000 dollars.
He gave all his employees at Beef Burger a bonus.
Stay connected 24/7 via WFMY News 2
Stay connected 24/7 via WFMY News 2
Get the WFMY News 2 App and the WFMY News 2 Weather App free in the Apple store.
For News Tips: news@wfmy.com or 336-379-9316
Pictures and Videos: myphotos@wfmy.com
(© 2016 WFMY)