You keep referring to your wife as being from another country. i hope that her English is good now, because that will be important over the weekend. But as you say, she will get what she will get. Your attitude sounds good, "understanding our partner is the work we have to do", that is a what Retrouvaille is all about. Listening, and understanding. That's it. It's not touchy/feely. At least I didn't think so, but I will look forward to both of your descriptions of how you felt about the weekend, next week.
Retrouvaille deliberately does not tell you much about what to expect. If you've read the thread, you have heard a lot more than they tell you. Sometimes I think they are right. It should be a surprise. But I know that I walked in so frightened. And I didn't need to be, it was a very safe weekend. And that's the thing that I want people to know. You should not be attacked (emotionally) at a Retrouvaille weekend. if that is happening, something is wrong and you need to ask for help. And of course, you should not attack your spouse either. Maybe everything can't be worked out, but if there is a chance that things can be worked out, it will be following the rules of dialogue. There is hope. There are many miracles at Retrouvaille.
