I have been separated from my girlfriend for a week and three days now and we have a 7 year old boy together from a 11 year relationship. She has two other kids 11 and 13 from a prior relationship. We broke up because she says she needs some time away and is trying to find god in her heart. She says she still truly loves me with all of her heart and misses me but this is something that she has to do. We have been in contact because of our kid together. But we have also sent text and emails back and forth. (Phone Calls included). I have recently sent her a poem and she said she loves me to and she will talk to me about all of this soon. I have been trying to give her space but it is a little harder when there is a child involved. We have discussed some of the issues and so forth and better understand each other a little better. When will I know when she is ready to come back home?

Can I ask why after 11 years you have not married? Maybe she is just tired of "relationships" and no husband.
Have you two tried couple counseling? You will know she is ready when and if she comes back.

She was married once before. We have talked about Marriage and possibly another child. Lately I was expressing more emotion towards her more than normal and she said she was not used to it. She was trying to grasp it but was not used to the attention that I was given her. She was quite happy one moment when we were talking about Marriage and possibly another child. But next day she would be a little different. This was something that I had planned for a while now and was slowly letting her in on my plan. She said yesterday that she is still truly in love with me just she needs to find GOD. She said, she needs to sort her spirtual side, but is clinging on with me. I am not sure if it has to do with the kids or not but I do keep my hopes up. We talk regularly but have our distance. I guess you can kind of say it is like baby steps. She seems pretty sencere when she says we will talk soon about all of this. I am just left out there just praying that god would make her mine again. In the mean time I have been trying to keep myself busy and trying not to think about her much. It is hard when there are children involved.

You've had planned this for a while but slowly letting her in on your plan? How slow have you been moving? You have been with her 11 years.
Let her know you love her and ask her to marry you, not someday but soon. Have her set a date if she wants. Tell her you are ready to make a commitment to her. This maybe what she needs. If she is searching spiritually, living as she is now is probably bothering her.

Thank You... I will try.. I will keep you updated

Good luck

Take the risk and marry her tomorrow. Ask her TONIGHT!!