Is it normal for an atheist to become a muslim?

Hello! I've just made this account so i can discuss Islam with fellow IINers! I hope you're all having a lovely day filled with love and happiness.

Anyway, onto my point!

I was born in West Philadelphia in the United States, and also raised there. I spent most of my teenage days shooting some basketball down on the playground of my local school, and also just chilling out and relaxing. Although the area was home to mostly law-abiding citizens such as myself, it was also home to some less than desirable characters. A couple of youths who were up to no good started causing trouble in my living area. Although trying my best to avoid them, I sadly ended up being involved in an altercation with these individuals which terrified my mother.

Despite my protests she decided to send me to live with my auntie and uncle, who lived in a peaceful part of Bel Air (a small town not far from here). While staying there, they introduced me to Islam, and from reading the Koran for the first time, I instantly knew that it was something special that could help me throughout my life.

I recently went back to West Philadelphia to catch up with old acquaintances, and while I was there I mentioned my devotion to Islam to one of my old friends. He looked at me blankly, and after a short while inquired, "Has anyone really been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?"

I had never even thought about this through all my time following Islam, and I'm not sure what to think! If anyone could help answer this question for me it would help me a great deal. Is my experience normal?