Love Stories to Fill a Heart With Dread

Despite all the hype about hearts, flowers and Cupid’s happy lovers--or perhaps because of it--Valentine’s Day holds the potential for major romantic disaster.

At least that’s what the market research showed when the folks at https://www.sendwine.com looked into it. “A lot of people said Valentine’s Day is not what it’s cracked up to be,” said Mike Lannon of Boston, founder of the SendWine Web site. “This was particularly true of men, who typically spend a lot more than women.”

So they are saluting all disappointed lovers with the first annual Great Valentine’s Disaster essay contest. You can enter the story of your worst Valentine’s Day (400-word maximum) by logging onto the site and following directions. The winner will receive a luxurious weekend for two in California’s wine country for Valentine’s Day 2000.

“We’re already getting entries and some are truly nightmarish,” said Lannon. “One guy tried to propose in a restaurant by putting a diamond ring in a bed of oysters, and his girlfriend ate it.”