great thread.
I gotta say your sex life sounds pretty good to me. I've been in a relationship where for the last 13 of 16 years I'm getting sexual intimacy 2-10 times a year. I've been sinking further into the dumps for a decade, but I'm trying to focus on working on myself and my side of the relationship instead of hoping it will change or I find the key to unlocking her sexual desire again. So if you please, allow me to work on my self through analyzing your predicament....on this escort board lol.
Honestly, This erotic story thing sounds like a great way to connect. It allows you to escape into fantasy together, but it can also be used in a way to test the waters on different things that may excite you. Why not write a subplot about you having sex with someone. Maybe she brings her friend over? meet another couple? She hires an escort to please you. I've got it! You "find out" about cam websites and meet with this hot woman but her face is obscured. You have an amazing connection and cum so hard BUT THEN you realize that you are jerking off with YOUR WIFE!!!! Or do the reverse if you think it'll rock your cuck fantasy and/or her being a hotwife. Just keep exploring these fantasies, because the fact that you can do this together is fucking GIFT!
One issue I'm seeing is you keep saying something to the nature of, "If A and B doesn't happen like it's supposed to, then I'm going to do C." In a way, its fantasizing about this escape. In another its creating this internal threat that will justify your potential actions. I've learned this is called a "covert contract", which is a contract that is likely to be breached because she is not privy to the fact you've drafted it in your head and signed it on her behalf. We're both here fantasizing about having sex with these women, which is fun, and would probably feel good for a bit, but it sounds like an actual breach of contract to your committed relationship, and probably pretty self-destructive subconciously (plus the girls probably don't match the pics).
In the end, it sounds like you being direct in expressing your needs has worked well in the past as you saw a noticeable shift in your relationship. I think that is huge and it's telling you something major. Not sure the circumstances of how she brought the trip and how you reacted (was missing the anniversary directly mentioned in the plans?), but it sounds like you should talk to your wife honestly about how her being away affected you. "Hey, I know I said it was fine that you were away. I love your commitment to your faith, but after reflecting, I realize that our 25th did mean a lot to me and I felt sad we didn't get to spend it together. I just wanted to tell you instead of keeping it in." then maybe you could plan something to celebrate this milestone in another way. Why not take a trip to Toronto together?