Robert Wellman, Jr. smiles after collecting his Lottery prize.

A Newaygo County man gave his pregnant wife the surprise of a lifetime when he told her he’d won $250,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s 50X The Cash instant game.

Robert Wellman Jr., of White Cloud, bought his winning 50X The Cash ticket at the Wesco, located at 304 South Charles Street in White Cloud.

“As soon as I won, I called my wife at work and told her I was buying her a new house,” said Wellman. “She didn’t believe me and told me I had better go get the ticket double checked.”

After confirming his ticket was indeed a big winner, Wellman locked it up in his safe until Monday when he made the trip to Lottery headquarters to claim his prize.

Robert Wellman, Jr.’s winning ticket.

The 47-year-old Wellman and his wife are expecting their second child – a girl – in June.

“With our second child on the way, this money will go a long way to helping relieve some stress for both of us,” Wellman said.

Players have won more than $35 million playing 50X The Cash, which launched in January 2015. Each $10 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $10 up to $1 million. More than $31 million in prizes remain, including one $1 million top prize, five $250,000 prizes, 165 $10,000 prizes, and 1,593 $1,000 prizes.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at 11,000 retailers across the state.