I get home and I could tell my W was bit distant...in her WAW mode somewhat (but not bad). We get in the car with the kids and go get something to eat. Kids are bickering in the back seat and my W is getting a little frustrated while I'm trying to diffuse their bickering. I turn to my W and say, "You want to run away?" (she knows what I mean by this)... Her response, "Yes." I then went on to tell her I could turn around and go home so she could bail. I was sincere, as I didn't want her to have that trapped feeling. She said, "No." So, off to dinner we went.
It ended up being an enjoyable evening. We went to grab a quick bite, looked at some furniture, and went to Home Depot. Like I said previously, she's motivated to change things in our house, so we're looking at different things to do to our house.
We get home and put the kids to bed. We end up downstairs talking...me on the couch...she on the Lazyboy. We talk a few minutes, exchange a few smiles, then all of a sudden she says, "You're sweet." I say, "Thanks. That's nice of you to say. Why do you say that?" Her response, "Because it's true." I said thanks again.
Then, she stares at me for a moment, our eyes locked, and says, "I love you." I was floored, really. Wasn't even sure I heard her right. It's odd...like time slowed down and my brain took a second to "accept" her words. Naturally, after the momentary shock, I responded in kind.
We exchanged a few smiles without saying anything. She got up and I gave her a kiss. Nothing else was said about it, but I felt like I was on a cloud...
Now, I have no illusions that this is what she's feeling all of the time; however, at least I know she's feeling that love sometimes and telling me. Over time, I think she'll feel it more and more often. Patience...
