Frank Singleton Jr. of Clinton said he plans to make his wedding anniversary unforgettable after he played the Big Money Super Ticket and won $1 million.

“My wife and I have been married for eleven years,” Singleton said. “We’re going to the Dominican Republic for our anniversary, and I’m going to make it extra special for her.”

Singleton’s good fortune happened Friday when he stopped by the Friendly Mart on North East Boulevard in Clinton and bought the $10 scratch-off ticket. He brought the ticket home and started scratching.

“I didn’t think it was real,” Singleton said.

It didn’t feel that way until he claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the choice of taking an annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $417,009.

Big Money Super Ticket launched in December with four top prizes of $1 million. One top prize remains.

Ticket sales from instant games like Big Money Super Ticket make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million a year for the state. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.