Hmmm... Now that you mention it, call up two hokers OP. Have them pose as your wives and ask her out. Problem solved.

To the OP.
"youd have made a great brother for a sister ,I have always wanted an older brother"
does not translate to me as "I like you like a brother"
It means : I feel comfortable and trustful around you. like I would a big brother.
"you're an incredible man. How did I get so lucky that you found me in your search?"
Means she likes you, REALLY LIKES YOU.
Does she need to hit you over the head with a baseball bat to get it through to you?
JAHO
BTW, my husband is catholic, I come from a mix of presbyteryian and pentecostal familes, and am an atheist. We've been together for nearly two decades.
Friendzone is the sugarcoated polite white lie for "He who hesitates loses."