In the spirit of looking at things with a beginner's eye, I'm gonna take a different approach from jethro.
Sometimes what someone wants is not the same thing as what they appear to want. I agree with jethro that it appears that your W wants you to take the lead. I think that your W may think that's what she wants too, but...
You're very supportive of her. That's a great trait and speaks volumes about your love and commitment. I wonder, however, if somewhere deep down inside her she feels that you're acting a little paternalistic.
She doesn't want you to be her dad, KAW. Maybe that's why she's confused about appreciating your caring nature. It conflicts with something else that she wants.
Quoting KAW: Basically, I approached her with how she's been acting for the last week and she broke down in tears. I embraced her and told her to let it out. She cried for nearly a half-hour before talking, …
“I told her to let it out.” That is something my dad used to tell me.
Maybe you’re trying too hard, KAW. D’ya think there’s any way you can just go out and do something with her on an adult-to-adult basis? Maybe a date?
