I planned to breastfeed from the beginning and it was VERY important to me. Baby went straight to the breast after birth.
I got really sick pp and was in a super stressful living situation with in-laws and got a lot of mixed messages about nursing(was pressured to strictly nurse, but expected to not let anyone see anything and everyone was prudish about it) very upsetting and difficult for me
I supplemented with formula because I wasn't producing enough and the pressure to bottle feed because it didn't show a boob! I pumped too, but never stopped nursing at night and nap time and after a few months, really decided that I loved that time with baby. Around 6-8 months, we dumped the formula and went strictly to the boob. I basically told everyone to get lost and did it the way I had wanted to from the beginning. Son has co-slept since birth which has helped get past the nursing hurdles and helped us both get rest.
Now at 27 months, still nurses at the breast, typically only at nap time or bed time, but increases a lot when cutting teeth, as he is right now (molars). I have tried little bits of weaning and have reduced the frequency of nursing. He stays with Grandma sometimes for the day and does fine with no nursing. I plan to self wean for the most part, but I am not rushing him, though others are naturally wondering why on earth I am still nursing.
Our family doctor has been pretty supportive, she nursed 2 years and encouraged me to continue when I was doubting myself. Though she's been very careless in prescribing meds that I cannot take while nursing. OB has been super supportive! Hubby has as well.
Nursing long term became more important to me, the more I saw how it benefited baby and me. I knew it was important and had strong feelings from the beginning, but those feelings have only grown stronger over time. I was committed to at least a year from the start and then committed to 2 years. I joined a mother's group with many long term nursers and attachment parenting styles so I had some support later on that I needed in the beginning.
If we have another, I plan to nurse exclusively and do it long term, just like I did with my son. Mine used a pacifier for about 6 months and weaned himself off that, same with a bottle, so I figure when he's ready to be done with the breast, he'll drop it too, he's already shown times of not being interested in it.
Bravo for sticking with it! Great question!