Thank you for this question...
My story is as follows:
I come from a non-English speaking country and have a very diverse cultural background than the background that is supporting Tolkien and his works.
I was sixteen when I first read the translation of the LoTR. I was at the high school at the time and had diffuculties of adaptation. I had many social challenges, I never managed to fit into the society. Their rules and behaviours were so alien to me, eventhough I was fully raised in it.
Middle Earth was the place for me. The things missing in my life, like friendship and love, were just found in this book. I remember keeping a dry rose between the pages of the chapter "Steward and the King", where Faramir proposes marriage to Eowyn
And, as you mention, love of nature was another huge thing I got from Tolkien. One could talk to the trees. Walk like an elf under them. Or bear a strong desire to sail over the Sea one day.
So did I. When I found a way, moved to another counrty, Sweden, for a few months. Anyone here can almost imagine my wonder and excitement when I saw and touched the runestones there
Then I began learning Swedish, too. I think I will try to read an Icelandic saga in Swedish.
When I meet someone who holds the same heart for Middle Earth, he/she immediately becomes my friend. I have friends from all around the world who love Tolkien. There is a feeling that binds me to them. It feels like we belong to a big big global fellowship. I think, this is the most important gift to me.
Whenever I fall into despair, I remember that there is always hope, sometimes only a fool's hope.