JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A northwest Missouri man held on to a secret for three weeks to give his wife the Christmas surprise of a lifetime.
 
Robert Bowlin of Platte City won a Missouri Lotto jackpot in early December, splitting a $4 million prize with another person who matched all six numbers.
 
Bowlin is a retired operating engineer from Platte City. He discovered he had won Dec. 3. He notified a financial adviser and a CPA, but otherwise didn't tell anyone until Christmas, when he told his wife.
 
He collected his winnings December 29th. The father of three and grandfather of two says he hasn't made any plans for his winnings.
 
Bowlin purchased his winning ticket from Trex Mart 2 in Tracy. The store will receive $2,500 for selling one of the winning tickets.