Maureen A Quinlan, to be called 'Molly,' was born in the United States. However, in all reality, my life and who I was to become began years before I came into this world. It started at a New Year's Eve party in 1966, when my parents met.

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Frederic JM Jouhet, the love of my life, was born in France. Although it would take more than 30 years for us to meet, his birth and existence in this world has had a profound effect on my life.

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My sister, Elizabeth A Quinlan, to be called 'Betsy,' was born. Over the years, she has become a real friend. I don't think I would have become the person I am without her. We are very different people, she has challenged me in dozens of ways and taught me a lot about humanity.

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I grew up in Chicago. My mother, Mary Anne, tells quite a sweet story about the summer of 1978 and it comforts me when I am homesick. I was running around the neighborhood and Betsy was sitting on the lawn with my mom when a neighbor, who was 80 years-old, saw us and said to my mom, "Molly belongs to the world and Betsy belongs to her mother." For years, I did not know what it meant for my life, but now it seems clear. I am a person who needs to spread my wings and fly. Even when life is difficult, I know that this is where I need to be.

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My brother, Daniel J Quinlan is born. When we were kids, because we were so many years apart, we were not especially close. Now that we are both adults we are much closer and it is clear to me that he is a lot like me and I find that comforting.

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My brother, Michael R Quinlan was born. I left the house when he was only nine. With such a big difference in ages, at times, I was more like Mom part 2 than his sister. However, now that we are older I feel us becoming closer and closer. He has evolved into a very sweet and interesting person and I cannot wait to see all of the different ways he will grow and change.

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I met Darcey, a life-long friend. In the telling of my life story, there will always be a special place reserved for Darcey. When we met in the Spring of '89, while both working at the local golf club, I had no idea she would be so linked to my life story. But that is life, isn't it. We have no idea who or what will make all the difference, and, yet, it's difficult to imagine how things would have turned out if you hadn't met. Darcey is the funniest person I ever met (so far, that is) and I have never laughed as hard as I have in her presence.

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I decided I wanted to write. For many students, deciding which career to focus on at the tender age of 18 was nearly impossible. Other people spend their whole lives searching for a career they enjoy. I was never one of those people. It happened naturally for me, I knew I wanted to be funny. I knew I wanted to work in advertising. I knew I should write. Simple as that.

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My first visit to Europe. As a graduation present, my mother helped me go to England to visit my pen pal from school. We had been writing to eachother since we were nine years old. I was in love with the place. Everything about London appealed to me, well, except the food.

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I started university. I went to the same university my mother attended, but transfered after the first year. It was everything I thought a school should be. Red brick buildings, gorgeous sprawling lawns and a good reputation. But alas, a small school in an even smaller town was not for me. They also did not have a good program for my major, a fact I slightly over-looked when I chose the school. oops.

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Joined the university debate team. My debate partner Liz and I were hard to beat during our novice year on the team. We won dozens of tournaments and decided we wanted to become lawyers and put our critical thinking skills to good use. Neither of us became lawyers, in the end, but the year I was on the team was the highlight of my university years.

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My first professional. After graduating from university with a degree in communications and advertising, I went to intern at the biggest public relations agency in Chicago. It was a summer filled with a lot of work and tons of writing. My career had taken flight!

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My big break. At the age of 24, I was hired as a copywriter at the Tribune. It was one of those dream jobs you think you'll never get and then they hire you. I was able to use my interest in politics and love of writers in my daily life. I developed a strange ability to remember details, a talent that strengthened my writing. The job was invigorating and I was always full of new ideas. I worked here for nearly eight years and met all kinds of interesting people. A lot of my career and life mentors came from Tribune. It was an important time in life.

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My first vacation with Susan. Over the years, Susan and I went on countless trips together. Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Spain, France, Hungry, Germany and Canada. Every other year we chose a destination and spent the dreary days of winter planning our trip. Thousands of stories here, some day I hope to write about our days in Ireland.

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An interesting meeting. During a low period, a friend suggested we visit a clairvoyant for (possibly) a look into our futures. I thought it might be funny. The clairvoyant told me that I would meet a man who would change my life. She said that he would be foreign. Normally, I am not a person who believes things like this. And normally, I would not include an event like this in my life story. However, she was right and nine months later I met Fred.

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Met Fred. Its hard to imagine life before Fred. I know that I lived for 31 years without him and one morning and there he was. He wrote to me on MySpace, wondered if I would write to him so he could practice his English. It took me by surprise when we wrote to each other six times a day for four months. After we spent a week together in Chicago I was convinced he was the one for me. Fred is more than I ever dreamed I would find in a mate. I still wonder how I got so lucky.

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I moved to France. With new immigration laws in the U.S., Fred found it difficult to find work. That single fact facilitated what would be the biggest change in my life. My move to France. It was hard to be away from my family and friends. It was also difficult to put my career on hold. However, being outside my culture, outside my language and outside my comfort zone helped me hear that little voice inside. I know that Fred and I will eventually move back to the United States, but I am exploring new possibilities and following wherever they lead. It is the most exciting time of my life so far.

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