I'm 18 too and often think I'm quite a strange human because I like Pokemon so much. My family and friends accepted me with time, but still they laugh of me when I sat in front of the TV and see the BD episodes.. But still I don't care. I love Pokemon and I felt represented the same that you wrote. The first crush (at 8-9) with the anime. Since then to this very moment I aimed for an original game, but I can't pay for one, so I have to stay with the emulator :(
The third generation and the exit of misty were sad for me, but when I began reading PokeSpe and playing Ruby and Sapphire, I fell in love all over again, and now I can say I'm a Poke-maniatic.
I don't know exactly why. I think it's 'cause I love nature, animals and such things, but I also like the spirit of adventure, making friends and standing those frienships, taking care of the ones you love and always following your dreams it's what touched me so deep as a kid and so I' cant (and I don't want) to end the feeling.I'm also very competitive, so the battles and the winner spirit atracts me so much. But all of this in a peaceful world, in a tranquil manner, how you said.
I love Pokemon, it's all I now, though there can be mistakes in the anime, repetitive stories, etc I love it, and I'm glad I found someone who shares the feeling. Sorry the thread was closed, I would write all this there XD