My motivation

When I studied at school I learned English. Actually, I liked a learning process it the class, but now I understand I hadn't enough motivation for learning better effectively.
One event helped me get a gave me wonderful motivation.

The fact that few years ago we have become distributors of a Finnish producer, gave us an opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people from different countries.

Could you use "since" in this sentence? something like: 

Since we became distributors for a Finnish producer a few years ago, we have had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people from different countries.

We get together twice a year in one of European countries Europe for to hold ing a distribution conference and have ing a pleasant time.
But the first meeting was too frustrating for me. I wasn't be able to speak and understand English at all!
My desire to communicate with friends was has become the my strongest motivation to learn English for me.
Now all my friends support me and enjoy my success in the study learning English.

Grammar corrections are red.

Word choice corrections are blue.