Better hurry! The Vindicator love story deadline is Friday

It’s time for The Vindicator’s fourth annual Love Story Writing Contest.

It’s the perfect opportunity to have some fun while trying to win a special prize to help make your Valentine’s Day a little sweeter.

Here’s how:

Visit www.vindy.com and click on the “Love Story Writing Contest” banner to read the beginning of our fictitious love story, “The Accidental Encounter.”

Then, turn what could easily have a tragic ending into a love story, and email your happily-ever-after entry — using 750 words or fewer — no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, to Society Editor Barb Shaffer at shaffer@vindy.com.

Don’t forget to include your name and phone no. The winners will be notified by phone in time to claim their prizes before Valentine’s Day.

The prizes are:

1ST PLACE: A $100 gift certificate to Julia’s Bed and Breakfast, West Liberty Street, Hubbard.

2ND PLACE: A $50 gift certificate to Full Circle Florist, Elm Street, Youngstown.

3RD PLACE: A two-pound box of assorted chocolates from Philadelphia Candies, provided by The Vindicator.

The three winners and their entries will be published Sunday, Feb. 12.