Their love was easy to detect

Sea-Tac, with its long lines, security gates and concrete walls, is about as romantic as an underground parking garage. But it turned into a rose garden for a Bellingham couple traveling to Spokane to spend the holidays with relatives.

While Nora Boline, a Western Washington University student, sailed through the security checkpoint, her boyfriend, Dave Turbeville, a Best Western trainee, was singled out. Boline recalls: "He seemed rather nervous, but I just figured he was excited about going home."

The guard patted Turbeville down and ordered him to hold out his arms. A metal detector beeped over his bracelet and past a ring Turbeville had turned inward. Boline hadn't noticed the ring, but Turbeville assumed his secret was out. Once searched, he knelt on the spot, plucked the ring from his hand, placed it on her finger and proposed marriage.

Boline says, "I remember laughing and crying and hugging him." The guards then told Boline she'd have to undergo a search because she'd hugged him. She kept saying, "We're engaged. We're engaged." The crowd clapped and whistled approval.

By the time the couple reached the boarding gate, the ticket agent had heard the news and congratulated them. Boline recalls: "Even at 30,000 feet our engagement news boomed over the intercom as the pilot congratulated 'the couple in seats B2 and B3.' We were like two little kids while enjoying drinks compliments of United Airlines."

Only half joking, Boline says, "With the treatment we received, we're looking into the baggage claim as a site for our wedding. Airports are so romantic."

The marrying kind: Does the holiday season lead to thoughts of matrimony? It seems so. Two eligible bachelors changed their marital status in the last days of the old year.

Developer Paul Skinner, a former University of Washington regent once married to KING-TV's Jean Enersen, exchanged vows with Wade Ballinger, who belongs to a well-connected local family.

Another man about town, defense attorney John Henry Browne, also tied the knot. The new Ms. Browne is the lawyer's sixth wife, second named Anne. (Her full name remains a mystery. The bridegroom, listed on several previous marriage licenses as "John Henry Browne IV," didn't return calls.)

Byrd on the wing: Joann Byrd, Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial-page editor since 1997, announced her retirement earlier this week. Byrd, who served three years as ombudsman at The Washington Post, formerly was executive editor of The Herald in Everett. Currently, she serves on the Pulitzer Prize board.

Byrd, 59, plans to leave the P-I on May 1 or July 1, after completing a 47-year career in journalism. She started writing for the East Oregonian in Pendleton at 13. Her future plans? She says, "I'm going to read books, see family and friends and redefine having fun."

Vanity fare: On a recent morning commute to Bellevue, Janis Forrest spotted a fellow driving a 4X4 black truck. Forrest says, "He obviously needs a new ZIP code." His license: RAINH8R.

Jean Godden: 206-464-8300 or jgodden@seattletimes.com.