Email from wife

Ooh, sounds like someone has a main event coming up! Take this next part as my experience, use at your own discretion.

Mine was very similar, though it was a text, not an email. (well, several actually)

But do you see that shit? That's emotional engagement. She overloaded with the feels right now, and cannot process. If you have your shit together, and are leading your life, she'll blow up, youll throw a little validation out there, and a lifeline.

They always say the opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy. The one thing you can guarantee is that there is no apathy here.

Honey, this is what good couples do. [insert your expectations, and what you can deliver]. It's an old PUA idea, where you are creating an 'us vs the world' narrative. Which is true, under the CO/XO model. I think of this like LMR for a married couple.

I borrow heavily from TEMPO on this one. You are creating a narrative from which she can anchor all future decisions on. You are building a world with a strong man, a sexually available and feminine woman, and their 'perfect couple' dynamic that other couples can be jealous of. Now those shit and comfort tests she is flinging have the backdrop of a girl fucking up... not a woman with a deadbeat husband she can't respect. What, is she going to argue with you when you tell her you have the perfect relationship? Telling people you see the best in them has the ability to have them step up to your expectations.

She gets everything a girl would want. An almost unattanable man, emotional validation and tingles, and to feel a love that she 'earned', as well as guidance on how to live well. Rollo has tons of articles on the nature of women, I assume you've done your homework, so you should be well prepared, and ready to let it go if need be, but not mad about it either way

You're playing the game, and you're playing for blood... Finally. I'd do some research into the main event on here. Just be ready with your expectations, or the 'come to jesus' speech.

full disclosure. On mine. I went on our 'date' by myself when she had a temper tantrum, went to our terrace and drank in the hottub with a bunch of french girls who were staying in the building

She walked into that scene, and you couldn't make the dread any more palpable. She was a stick in the mud, and I was moving on, having a great time doing it. Luckily for me frame was easy. I had that glow of a man who had the world by the balls. Her yelling and screaming was turned down to 1...

My narrative was clear. Honey, I'm leaving the military in a few months. No one gets to tell me what to do anymore, and I'm the happiest I've ever been. I get you're mad, just come along, you'll like it. If you can't live with that, I understand. (paraphrased, can't remember exactly, but I remember the sentiment)

Woke up the next morning to a killer mexican breakfast, a nasty headache, and she looked happy as fuck. Lots of paternal gestures that day too. I suggest holding close, and kissing on the forehead. I didn't care that her mom may have been a narcissist, or that she had 'had enough'. I was already uprooting most of my life, it was just one more thing.

then I remembered how great she can cook Mexican, and we took it from there.

3 more 'aftershocks' later and it's been pretty damned smooth since then.