It has been a "whirlwind" experience for Sharon and Jim Jardine after being announced as the grand prize winners of the Bluewater Health Foundation's Dream Home Lottery.
The Petrolia couple toured the fully furnished $1.46 million dream home on Manhattan Drive in Sarnia for the first time on Friday.
"It's beautiful, it's incredible," said Sharon.
"Very, very well done," continued Jim.
As the grand prize winners, they have the option of taking the home or $1 million in cash. But Sharon said as of Friday, they're unsure what their decision will be.
"It's just so much to take in," she said.
"It's a lot to digest," laughed Jim.
Sharon said she was surprised to receive the exciting news on Thursday and initially thought it wasn't true.
The couple has long participated in the Dream Home Lottery, but this was their first major win.
"We just feel so blessed. It's life-changing," Sharon said. "We always just bought [the tickets] for the support, you never bought it thinking you're going to win."
However, the two noted they had previously won a McDonald's gift certificate, which they were very happy about.
If they keep the house, there will be lots of room for their 10 grandchildren to visit.
"They're wondering how far it is and where it is, and if there's room," Jim said.
"They're over the top excited for us. Everybody is! The response has been great," Sharon said.
The pair thanked all of those involved in the fundraising initiative.
"It's been an amazing experience," Jim said.
"It's been a whirlwind, but we'll never forget it," continued Sharon.
Money raised through the lottery will support the emergency room and diagnostic imaging redevelopment project at the Petrolia hospital and cancer care clinic redevelopment work at Sarnia's hospital.
The dream calendar sold out this year for the first time, with ongoing cash prize draws expected to continue into the spring.
