I won't put too much stock in the "thank you", but she didn't have to reply at all so there is a little positive note to take out of it. This is her third email in 10 weeks and two the last two weeks....momentum ;-)
I know what my W wants and that is the athletic physically fit M who is intelligent and funny when she first met me. I let most of that go the last few years...and heck I would have left me too. So I am in better shape working out and lifting weights. The b-day email showed humor in the face of this sitch and I have handled most (not the first few days) of our communication with thought and not emotion.
I think I am doing okay as well. I am not fighting this battle on only one front and and being inflexible. You have to be willing to adjust.
