RK, you gotten some fine advice here on the issue of Confession. If it means anything at all, you and your wife should know that it isn't just Roman Catholics who not only have but partake of the grace of the Sacrament of Confession. As an Orthodox Christian I have regularly gone to confession since I was little. It is a wonderful and transforming sacrament and one of the greatest gifts Christ left to his Church. Indeed, for the Orthodox, regular confession is a sine qua non of reception of the Eucharist. My experience throughout a lifetime of long confessions has been identical to those related to you by the Roman Cathlics here. I simply can't imagine life without it.
Thanks, I appreciate it.