To announce one of the biggest events of their lives together, Cindy and Mark Hill returned to the place where it all began — the high school where they became sweethearts in the 1970s.
Surrounded by family and friends, the two were introduced Friday as winners in this week’s huge Powerball lottery. Even though they will recieve a half billion dollar jackpot, the couple hopes to stay true to their roots and live simply, which might be difficult having just won one of the biggest lottery prizes in history.
The Dearborn couple said they were shocked to discover their numbers matched. (She let the computer quick pick the combinations on her ticket.)
“I called my husband and told him, ‘I think I am having a heart attack,'” Cindy, 51, said. “I think we just won the Lottery!”
Cindy said she and Mark haven’t had a lot of time to talk about their plans for the windfall, but since her daughter has never seen the beach, they plan to take her to one. She also wants a horse, so “in a couple years, I’d say yes.”
Cindy also said Mark, 52, has talked about a red Camaro.
“It’s really going to be nice to spend time – not have to work – and be able to take trips with our family,” she added.
Cindy Hill worked as an office manager, but was laid off in June 2010 due to the loss of a grant. She said she then took a year off to spend time with their daughter and began looking for work recently when her daughter went to first grade. Mark Hill will leave his job as a mechanic.
(WATCH the video below, or READ the AP story from the Washington Post)