Dear LW #2: have you considered switching all of the efforts you're now putting into synchronous communication into asynchronous communication, like greeting cards or postcards? It sounds like you'd love to be closer and give them insights into the best parts of your life, but they keep dumping cold water on it. Giving them some time to reflect on what they want to say in return might let them fake some happiness for your accomplishments, even though your accomplishments don't align with their narrow view of what success looks like for a woman.