My wife, family and I welcome you. My mother gave study to a very humble and striving family like yours. She sure as hell surprised me in having the patience at the time for this study, being that my mother looked down on everyone around her/including us, her children. I eventually came to grasp that my mom had so many studies because she wanted to save herself, and this was her selfish main interest. I congratulate you for surviving and still keeping your head up. My studies in psychology, and my wife's intelligent ways helped us through our fading away. We had our huge JW wedding along with our ceremony in the hall. We faded weeks after, and what helped is that we moved away to a new house and never reported to our new hall. It was slightly uncomfortable at first since the brothers would come and look for us. What also helped is that we kept our gate locked and they couldn't come into our property. (The gate is 40 yards from our front door, LOL!!! "We can't hear you brothers!..")
Our message to you is this, being away gets easier by the week and before you know it, you will feel that you are happy without all the scrutiny and self-righteous behavior that the brothers and sisters are eager in dishing. If you feel you need religion, then seek one that fits you, and your future mates needs. We got distant from all men's writings and have studied too much and learned too much to go back to religion. We wish you an ongoing enlightenment and a joyous opening to your options.