Seattle, it is most definitely a phase for you and for her. The question is what phase is next? that is not entirely up to you, as she had to make up her own mind on which direction to step next. You can't control that. What you can control is YOU. The best way to prepare for the next phase (whether it's reconciliation or a new beginning) is detach, GAL and especially 180. If you don't make changes and learn what makes a marriage thrive (fulfilling emotional needs, mainly), you will be right back in this position eventually, either with her or someone else in the future.
btw, I have a similar trajectory with my WAW. We were in our best place in 9 years together at the end of 2013. It was punctuated by a Facebook post she wrote in Dec 2013, just before my arrival from a 2 week business trip, about how much she missed me, how excited she was for me to return, how it was the longest we've been apart since we'd met, and she never wanted to go that long again. Things change. I believe they can change back in the other direction, though. But I want to be prepared to help carry them in that direction if given the opportunity.
Me 38, WAW 30 D11 (former marriage) S2 T 8 years M 3 years BD 8/20/23 S 8/20/23
