Josie: My senior year in college I served as the SDSU University Program Council, Special Events Coordinator. I was charged with providing events for SDSU students from dances, comedy shows and the like. Another student on the board had recommended I consider booking a improv comedy troupe called "Mission Improvable" however when I looked at their promo video I thought it looked a little cheezy. When it came time to book our spring calendar, I was proposing another comedy act that was out of our programming budget. Again Mission Improvable's act brought up. Reluctantly I agreed to move forward with the act. On the day their promotion materials arrived, I looked across the page at the 6 man group, but there was one particular set of eyes that caught my attention. Love at first sight, um maybe :) 

March 18th, 2003 Mission Improvable troupe arrived onto campus, to a brisk Brookings, South Dakota. I had a busy day, and was struggling to get students interest in coming to the show as it was during midterms. As I and my committee prepared the venue, 6 guys arrived ready to warm up. One of those included Lloyd sporting a sweater vest.  While the turnout for the show was low, my eyes remained captivated. I don't think I had laughed that hard in a long time. Butterflies. Lloyd and I spent the next 6 hours together, exchanging phone numbers and I leaving thinking I would never hear from him again. I was sure he "had a girl in every city." 

March 19th 2003: Lloyd called.

Josie: Over the next few months we talked just about every day. A week after graduation, I headed out to Chicago. I think my family must have thought I was crazy. "Who is this boy, what is in Chicago" they asked? It didn't take us both long to figure out that our connection was something special and by the time I flew out we were "official" 

Now for the tough part. The day I flew out of Chicago began a new chapter in my life, not just having Lloyd part of it. I quickly packed up my life in South Dakota and moved out to Boston, MA for a 2 month internship. In July, I moved down to Flagstaff, AZ to begin my graduate program in Higher Education. Our goal was to see each other 2 months. Ugg, long distance was really hard. Two years later, with plenty of airline miles and Sprint phone bills to prove it, I graduated from Northern Arizona University and moved to Los Angeles. We made it!

May: Lloyd and Josie move to North Hollywood, CA 

July: Josie accepts position at California State University, Los Angeles as a Resident Director. This position also provided housing, so Josie and Lloyd move to the campus of CSULA, in Alhambra, CA.

July: Josie accepts a position at Loyola Marymount University as the Assistant Director of Events & Marketing. 

August: Purchase a 1 bed, 1 bath condo in Culver City, CA. 

December: They add a new addition to their family, a Russian Blue Cat, Isabelle.

January 18th: Lloyd's 30th Birthday including paint ball tournament and party! 

April: Lloyd accepts position at Westside Eclectic Theater, as General Manager.

December: Lloyd's dad and brothers join them for Christmas in Culver City.

April 5th: Josie's 27th Birthday & Day Lloyd asked her to marry her! 

December: Josie's family joins them for Christmas in Culver City.

April: Lloyd's company Mission Improvable, purchases Westside Eclectic Theater and flips it into MI's Westside Comedy. 

October 18th 2009: Ahlquist Wedding Celebration!!!

I had been trying to find the right way to ask Josie to marry me for a while.  We'd been together for 5 years and I had spoke with her folks about asking her a year before I proposed.  I think they were wondering if I was getting cold feet, or maybe just forgot.  Josie and I had planned a trip to San Diego for our 5th anniversary and I almost couldn't bare not to ask her on that trip.  The problem was that I hadn't been able to get the right ring for her yet.  I was working on something special and it took longer than I had expected.  After much obsessing,  I decided that I'd do it on her birthday which was the following month on April 5th.  

I tried and tried to convince Josie to take a trip with me to celebrate her birthday, but she kept turning down my ideas.  After several attempts at getting her out of town I finally figured I better plan something for her here in L.A.  We had always shared some special times on the Santa Monica Pier so I decided to do it there.   

My plan was to ask her on the Ferris wheel, I would put together a game of Hang man (which we often played on trips) and have her spell out the big question by guessing letters one at a time.  After that, we'd go to the theater where I work to share a cozy little meal of tomato soup and grilled cheese and watch one of Josie's favorite movie's; Superman on the 14 foot movie screen.  Then we'd go home and change, and head on over to Josie's birthday party to celebrate.   We were already planning a party for her on that night so I thought it would be nice for her to have the chance to tell everyone in person and celebrate with her close friends.    Below is a list of the plan that I made.  It was a hectic week.

On the big day, I still needed to pick up the ring though and so I ended up waking up super early to go get it. It had just been finished on the 5th (Josie's birthdsy) and so I had not yet seen it.  I was sooo nervous about what it would look like.  Fortunately, it was perfect!  After picking up the ring, I headed back home to move forward with the rest of the plan.   I would get to the pier early with Josie to get in line for tickets to the Ferris wheel.  Thenput together a game of Hang man (which we often played on trips) and have her spell out the big question by guessing letters one at a time.  I wanted to do it on the Ferris wheel though so  had to make sure that she guessed it in time before the ride stopped.  I had to bring my bag with me thoguh to hide a camera cause Josie made sure to tell me that if ever I asked her to marry me I BETTER MAKE SURE TO HAVE A CAMERA.  Then we'd go to the theater where I work to share a cozy little meal of tomoate soup and grilled cheese and watch one of josie's favorite movie's Superman.  Then we'd go home and change, and head on over to Josie's birthday party to celebrate.  

The day before we were engaged, I had set up my theater with everything Josie and I needed to share a meal of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  My plan was to walk over to the theater after asking her to marry me and have it all set to go with Champagne and the movie Superman and the whole nine yards.  I even snuck milk in my coffee thermos and carried it around with me all afternoon so we could male the soup with it.

Everything was going according to plan...the hangman game, the Ferris wheel and most importantl, Josie said yes.   However as we walked donw the street leading to the theater, I noticed some people standing outside the door who weren't supposed to be there!  Apparently a group of comics, who had a show later that evening, had planned a rehearsal in the theater and hadn't told me about it.  They tried to call and let me know that they would be in the theater working on their show but I had of course turned my phone off and hadn't recieved any of their messages.  They were all set up in the theater upon our arrival and I almost blew a gaskit.  Fortunatley, everyone moved very quickly once they relaized what had happened.  I cleared everyone out  within about 45 seconds and the day went along smoothy form there.  A day or two later I apologized to the group that I had encounted and explained the situaiton to them all.  We all laughed at how crazy I gt for about 5 minutes and looking back it will always be a pretty funny memory of that day.

We had a blast telling our story at Josie's birthday party that night, at a local karaoke bar.

Like any other birthday, I woke up excited for what the day held in store. Getting ready, Lloyd began to scurry around the house. I asked him what the heck he was doing, as he proclaimed, "Where is my white-stripped button down shirt?!?" I tried to convience him it was the hamper and to put something else on so we could go out and enjoy the day! This suggestion did not settle him. I plopped down on the sofa and waited out his search. Finally out the door, I grabbed for his hand; sweaty and shaky...hum weird. With is coffee cup in his hand, I asked "how much coffee did you drink this morning?" No answer. "Can I have a drink of your coffee?" I asked him nicely. "Ah I burned it, so it is really bad," he responded.

Upon entering the parking garage in Santa Monica, I noticed a number of empty parking spots we were passing. As the committed back seat driver I am, this act was pushing me to jump out of the car and walk. Finally parking on the 4th level, we headed down toward the ocean and on to the Santa Monica Pier. Lloyd demanded that he bring both his burnt coffee and his laptop case. He said he had to drop something off at work, which was a couple blocks from the pier. As we walked down the steep decline onto pier, I again grabbed for Lloyd's hand. Cold and clammy. He reached down to wipe it off and gave me a big smile.

Making our way through the crowds, we entered the amusement park area of the pier. Lloyd turned to me and asked, "Do you feel like going for a ride for your birthday?" I quickly responded "Yah!" To our disappointment we found a very long line to purchase tickets. Lloyd became very fidgety, turning to me again asking "So you still want to go, get in line, for your birthday?" I did hesitate with my answer, it was really a long line. I would be fine just walking on the beach. But I looked back at Lloyd who seemed to be shuffling back and forth from one foot to the next. Finally I said, "Sure!"

Finally we had the tickets and headed to the real line for the ride. As it came our turn to load, however the workers would not allow Lloyd to bring his coffee mug and were even hesitant to carry on his bag. I ignored all these things and jumped right into our seat. We had plenty of room in this 8 person contraption. I snapped a quick picture, and we were off! We had not even made it half way to the top and Lloyd reached down into his bag to take out his journal. "Feel like playing hangman?" he asked. I was a little perplexed, as we had just waited forever in line for the $10 tickets to ride this thing! None the less, I said "Sure!" Now hangman is a common game for Lloyd and I, entertaining ourself waiting for our food, on a flight or before a movie. Lloyd had a page all ready for my guessing. But ah, this was a long one! Lloyd could tell I was struggling, like normal.

I was about half way through with the game when I realized what this day had in store as the blank statment on the page was a proposal! He turned to me and said "Josie you make me feel like I am Superman, like I can do anything. Will you marry me?" In that same second, Lloyd plunged his knee into the small leg space of the ride. Taking the ring out of a small black box, displaying a ring that took my breath away. Maybe due to the force of gravity the ride was moving us on or pure emotion, my upper body fell forward into his arms. I could not hold back my tears and excitement. Both neighboring cars looked and gave cheers of congrats, as we completed one last loop on the ferris wheel. I am pretty sure sometime in there I told him yes. Now my hands we shaking, my heart raced. I knew this would be the most special birthday of my life.

Josie has worked at Loyola Marymount University, home of the "Lions", since August 2006. She serves as the Campus Recreation Assistant Director of Events & Marketing. Part of her job is to put on entertainment for the students at LMU, including comedy shows, music performances, and other special events. She also works with very talented students to design and promote printed materials.

It is no suprise the "teacher bug" is coming out more and more in this bride. The mother of the bride has been an elementary teacher for the last 15 years. Josie teaches in two different ways: 1. At LMU, she has taught a Leadership class. This course is designed to develop students through self exploration and value identity. 2. Since February 2007, Josie has been certified as a Spinning Instructor. Since then she has added an AFAA Group Exercise and PiYo certifications. This has resulted in her schedule include anywhere from 3-6 classes taught each week.

Despite the length of time Josie has lived in Los Angeles, she continues to reflect on her small town roots. Growing up in Newcastle, Wyoming with a population of 3,000 she had such experiences as learning to drive a stick shift Ford pick-up truck and driving an hour and a half to the closest shopping mall.

Ever since April 5th, 2008, Josie has been thrilled to be engaged! Stealing every free moment to brainstorm, reserach and plan for her (and Lloyd's) wedding day. From trying on dresses, chatting with her bridesmaids, creating budget spreadsheets or compairing color schemes, the planning process has been fun so far! Now if only Lloyd would just let her plan it and leave his opinions to himself! :)

Lloyd has been a performer for a very long time. He did plays in high school and started getting into improv comedy in college. He now lives in Los Angeles where he auditions for tv and film projects and also is the creative director of a comedy theater. He also owns his own comedy touring company and has traveled the country performing for lots of different folks.

Lloyd is crazy about Josie and is ecstatic that she said "yes." He's been happy to help plan the wedding with Josie and is doing his best to be a good "assistant."