When you hear someone won the lottery, you usually picture a life-changing windfall—millions of dollars, big plans, and perhaps a luxury car or two. But for Tyler Heep of Iowa, the prize was just one dollar. And yet, he wasn't about to let the size of the winnings determine the size of the celebration.
Rather than quietly pocket his modest prize, Heep decided he wanted the full experience given to jackpot winners: the oversized check, the camera flashes, and the bragging rights.
"They decided to treat me just like a million dollar winner."
— Tyler Heep
So Heep did what few would dare—he went straight to Iowa Lottery headquarters in Des Moines and asked for the kind of treatment typically reserved for multi-millionaires. To everyone's surprise, the staff didn’t laugh him out the door. Instead, they played along.
Tyler Heep wanted to get his winnings the same way any winner would. Facebook
They brought out the big check, led him into the back room with the official Iowa Lottery logo backdrop, and even signed off the oversized prize certificate with a cheeky “Stinking Rich,” a touch approved by acting CEO Larry Loss himself.
"I was hoping for a big check. And they actually gave me one."
— Tyler Heep
Heep told NBC 13 that the staff was more than willing to help him live out his mini jackpot fantasy. “The guy came down the stairs and they took me into the back room where the camera was with the Iowa Lottery logo,” he said, recounting the experience like a true high-roller.
Of course, one might wonder what he did with his winnings. Did he invest in stocks? Blow it on dinner at a high-end restaurant? Nope. Heep kept it real, spending his dollar on a half-tank of gas. Practical and symbolic in its own way.
"I blew it all in one place—the gas station."
— Tyler Heep
While Heep’s prize doesn’t come close to the record-breaking $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot split by three couples in 2016—each walking away with a $327.8 million lump sum—his attitude might be worth just as much. Maybe more.
It’s a refreshing contrast to the tales of massive lotto winners who find themselves overwhelmed, unhappy, or even bankrupt after their windfalls. Heep reminds us that sometimes, it’s not about the money at all. It’s about the moment, the joy, and the story you get to tell.
Still famous for being "stinking rich"
Since his brush with viral fame, Heep has mostly kept a low profile. No grand follow-up wins, no sequels. But his story still circulates online as a symbol of lighthearted optimism. The Iowa Lottery even brought it back up in a blog post, calling it a much-needed dose of good cheer (ialotteryblog.com).
It's hard to resist the allure of those big numbers, but they aren't the only prizes on offer.
Heep’s big-check stunt reminds us that celebration isn’t just for the billionaires. It’s for anyone who wants to find a little magic in the mundane. In a world of over-the-top content and fleeting viral fame, his one-dollar smile continues to shine.
A young mother reads to her childCanva
A grandfather watches his young granddaughterCanva
A mother comforts her young childCanva
Toddler cries on the ground during a meltdownCanva
A stress-out employee reacts to an emailCanva
A woman stares at her cellphone after a car accidentCanva
An empty desk at workCanva
A three-story house sits behind two mulberry treesCanva
Aerial view of suburban neighborhoodCanva
A mulberry tree in Christmas lightsCanva 
Comment from RedditReddit | 
Man looking worriedCanva
People applaudingCanva
Children volunteeringCanva
Restaurant recieptCanva
Server talking to customerCanva
Tip jarCanva
Unhappy serverCanva
DNA Test KitCanva
Woman taking DNA testCanva
DNA labCanva
Newborn babyCanva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.