Rejected by a woman I thought liked me back. Wondering whether I misread the signs or she changed her mind.

[Miss Spider]

Yea she played you... sorry. She knew exactly what she was doing when she was accepting those gifts etc. I would say next time don’t let it go on so long with no physical escalation unless you are 100% sure there is reciprocation there. Actually, no, never. 

Edited February 11, 2020 by Cookiesandough

[basil67]

If she didn't ask for gifts, she didn't play you.    Given that you are long distance, distance which isn't able to be closed anytime soon and there was no physical affection, there was no reason for her to think anything other than you are simply generous

Edited February 11, 2020 by basil67

[Lotsgoingon]

I don't think she played you.

Here's what I've noticed: if you have to officially tell someone that you're interested in them romantically, there's a problem. In a good romance, people just communicate this interest immediately ... If you ever have to officially announce--after months of talking--that I really like--this almost never works out.

Having to announce your romantic affection for her is pretty much a sign that you are not relating to her on romantic terms. 

You can't get from friendship to romance ... at 99 percent of the time you can't.

Next time, get your romantic interest on the table--immediately! You'll have to experiment with doing this ... 

Another tip: sounds like you spent hours talking to her, texting with her, thinking of her ... being open and kind to her ... all signs that you are working way too hard. Getting a romance started doesn't require that level of work.