Congrats. to you on your wedding, you may not know me, but your husband does. that is how I found this..
I am one hundred percent empath, an also a Heyoka.
I can related to your childhood, I feel I had a similar one...
That is why I left a link of what a heyoka is, you could be one, I feel you could.. With the way you describe taking in the world around you and the acceptance to others energy..
This also may help better protect ones self from energy that is harmful to the level of empath you may be..
I thank you for sharing this story.. It is eye opening for some one as me that lives in a place most ignorant in consciousness awareness..