I need some advice, and hope(if any).

Ok, here's the story. 2 months ago, my girlfriend of four and a half years hit a big rocky part in our relationship. We had moved to California in August of 2011 to live on an apartment on my parents property, in an idea to start a life there. It wasn’t working out, I was happy to be there, but she was not. She kept making excuses, but finally she came out with the real reason, she wanted to be close to family, that was important to her. I on the other hand, wanted to stay in a place I wanted to be, and with my family. I kept trying to force myself into wanting to go with her, but in the end I couldn't, and she left and went back to Houston to her family.

At first I was sad, but things got better, and I was starting to feel better, helping my dad in the orchard, and picking up some hobbies. But after the first month, It changed. I suppose it was because I couldn't find a job, or something, but no matter what I did I couldn’t take my mind off of her. I wanted her back in my life, I wanted to go get her. It took me a month to get myself ready for the move, mentally anyways, the whole time I kept contacting her and she gave me hints that if I came, we could get back together. I not only had that, but I knew that I could finish my college in Houston, pick back up my favorite sport of fencing(they didn’t have any near where I lived in Cali.), see some old friends(one of which I live with now and he's helping me to become a personal trainer), and finally I had simple job opportunities there.

All in all, everything seemed to point to all systems go, I wanted it. I also wanted the change, I realized I had become comfortable living freely with my parents, and I wanted change. I’m turning 24 this year, its past time. It was hard, but I did it, and came back.

I forgot to mention, during the month I was getting ready to move, she became more distant. Not answering my texts, even after I told her of my plans, half-way into the month. A few hours out on my journey, I called her. In the call, she finally came out with why she had been avoiding me, she didn’t want a relationship at the moment, she had realized that she wanted time for herself, to find herself and only care for herself. For me, it was heartbreaking. I had just pushed myself to leave my place of comfort, mostly on a whim to be with the woman I loved, and wanted.

She did promise me a date though, which yesterday, we went on. I took her and our(now her) dog to the dog park to have a picnic date that I had planed out. I goofed up, forgot some stuff(silverware, napkins, salad dressing, lol), and we went back to her place. Anyways, we were having a pretty good time, some awkward moments, but yeah. Eventually it went into the serious phase, and we had our talk. She explained what she wanted again, and said she never expected me to come back. I told her that I had thought about it, a lot, and told her that I was sorry for what I did to her. I was, I had screwed up, trying to hold onto the easy life instead of going for what I wanted. I know at the time that’s not what I though, but looking back on it, it was. Then

I told her that I respected her decision, and no matter what would always be there for her, but I made no hesitation to note that I still wanted to be with her, and that I would continue asking her on dates here and there till it happened. This seemed to touch her, and I could tell she liked it. She also is accepting to me asking her on dates. I even asked her parents again if I could date their daughter again. We left on a good note, she kissed me on the cheek, and I kissed her on the forehead and I left.

I want to know something, from those experienced out there, I want her. I know what she wants now, and although it hurts greatly, I respect her decision. I will ask her on more dates, and I am going to lay off and not contact her as much anymore, maybe once or twice a week.

So the questions are, what is my best course of action? Am I doing the right thing? Any advice? And most of all, is there any hope for us? I keep some hope in my heart, and I will try till it dies, but I just want some feedback I guess.

Tl;dr Im really love my ex-gf, i want to get back with her. We had a rough break up, (we had moved to California together, but she wanted to leave and i didn't, so she left) but i asked her on a date when i moved back and we cleared the air. She says she wants her personal space to find herself and do stuff for herself, and i told her i respect that and that no matter what i will always be there for her. I didn't hide that i would like to still be with her, and she is ok with me asking her out on more dates. I want to know an outsider opinion, what seems to be really going on? What should i do? Should i keep in contact with her, just for dates? Any advice on the matter? Is there really any hope for us getting back together?