On a scale of 10, I think I pass as barely a 1/10 Islamic. Some people though, they call me jihadist and islamist. 
Anyways, I know what you’re trying to say but you have not really seen other live examples out there except for your cousin. Trust me, it’s hard to bring about a change in the family. To break their cultural traditions and move towards an Islamic lifestyle is not a walk in the park. I have friends who have gone through this, one is a student becoming an Alim and his wife becoming an Alima mash’Allah.. Guess what, everything was nice and all but both of them had to compromise on the pictures part. At the end of the ceremony/dinner they setup a stage and when most guests left, the dulha sat with the wife/family took pics..etc and if you asked me how “islamic” are they? I’ll tell you very. They were against it but their mothers..well you know the deal. That’s just one example. Goto Pakistan and you’ll see what its like. Even strict families keep on carrying their cultural baggage. There will be pardah but people are still celebrating all other rasams. etc.. And my mom knows me very well..! She like every other Pakistani mother out there doesn’t see it yet because all her life all she saw were these rasams. Obviously at this age she will be very hesitant to change.
@mistral, excellent post, thanks! =)