It's always a pleasure to know and learn about one's self. It also never fails to amaze me how diverse and contradistinct another's upbringing and journey to self discovery can be from my own.
My family was far from religious or even traditional. And we were always encouraged to be our own person from as young as our early teens. We were also reminded time and again that we needed to fend for ourselves and not be dependent on our parents and family!
This account of your voyage to self identification is truly moving and interesting. And may God's guidance and Mercy be upon you always..Aameen!