I'm in that situation with someone I've known for 10 years. She travels a lot so I only see her about 7 months of every year space out sparatically.
That does change things. She's no stranger at all. She
could be in love with you, though I am not suggesting this is the case.
I couldn't make a scientific guess there, but I will mention this: It sounds as if for her you are a constant and reliable that she feels comfortable around you. What she feels may be comfort and a connection of any sort.
for some reason I recently felt the urge to tell her I loved her and explained why and I was clear (I think?) on emphasizing the fact that I wasn't trying to bone her or anything (though I def would).
Why did you do this?
You're not going to want to hear it, and I know you're level headed ordinarily, but that was a reckless move.
Describe how she makes you feel. I am doubtful that this was a good move. Don't linger in it, though, we'll move forwards again
Shes weirded out by the confession, we actually argued about it for awhile. This is what sparked my bromance thread. I feel like this friendship is on par with my bromances but shes a chick. I would have been perfectly fine if after I told her she just said 'ok'.
You know her well? Is she the type of person to get caught in emotion and argue or do you think she may be hurt?
It is understandable that she would be unhappy with your confession -
If you were her comfort and more a longstanding friend that she has a connection with on that basis, then she would not like your confession of love and complications to change the tema and upset the status quo.
If on the other hand she has been waiting all this time, head over heels for you, for some sort of fairytale shit then your confession and reaction is completely and utterly underwhelming to an extent that may be hard to understand.
What you must know now is that whether it will come to be thought of as an improvement in your relationship as friends or not ( "...whatever we are")
something will likely develop from of this. For now, in regards to reaching out to contact her do nothing. Find some time for yourself. Think, while you sit and wait.
It's your work here first to find yourself.
How is your relationship with other girls? Existent? Strong?
Could it be that your motivation for saying what you did was not that you feel love for her but that you just want to love somebody?
IF - think about this carefully - If you want to entertain the possibility of something more in both directions, you need to be sure of yourself and usually you would be.
..then when she contacts you will will determine whether she could shit with the door open so to speak.