Wow, I was in your situation, too.
As a full time working mom, I found that the time breastfeeding my son was a great way to connect and have a routine. He was breasfed until he was just past 2.5, but feedings were only first thing in the morning (sometimes) and then before bed, and sometimes before a nap - that's how it was since he was just older than 1 year old. I pumped until he was two, but it was mostly out of habit and because I liked to say hi to the nurses in the health unit. During that time, he would often wake at night, and I'd nurse him back to sleep because it was easier and calmer.
My son ultimately weaned himself (mostly), with the aid of a weeklong trip to visit family sandwiched by a 16 hour drive, along with another child (age 3) and mom. He was already showing signs of weaning before the trip, but the change in routine, perhaps my gentle reminders that "he can go to sleep without momma's milk" and seeing another child go to bed without nursing probably finished the deal. I should note that at the very very end, I was making it very clear to him that I was growing tired with the arrangement, not intentionally but just because I grew frustrated with the back and forth of not nursing for 2 days, and then nursing. (though that only went on for about a week or two) Essentially, after the trip I accepted the weaning, and then he surprised me with new demands, and while I accommodated, he saw that I was clearly frustrated.
We breastfed for so long because it was easy, and it was a calming routine in our constantly changing and hectic lifestyle (read: train and metro commute to work/daycare, and long days), that I didn't feel the need to disrupt. It was a way I, as a working mom, could have some close time with my child, and I think it helped him cope the changing and volatile emotions of a toddler. So, even though there were occasional times when I was bothered at being needed in this way, extended breastfeeding was a great help to our relationship and routine, and I credit it with helping me be a better, calmer mom than I might otherwise have been.
just my four cents, hope it helps.
D.