Interesting indeed, and it shows she did/does appreciate you in her own way. I'm almost tempted to suggest responding to the tears/stress in a 180 way, not by not listening, but maybe offering support and sympathy (like a girl would!). But I feel silly saying it, so instead will say that this weekend I bought 3 pairs of new socks and couldn't stop smiling as I was choosing them because socks always now remind me of you.
