Just a bit of feedback from a similar experience with my wife. We decided on a .38 snubbie for her based on ease of concealing, light weight, and easy controls. After shooting it in a training class she realized that she really didn't like it. She shot a 1911 and immediately fell in love. So, we traded off he .38 for a colt defender in 9mm. She loves it, and even bough it is a bit more complicated, she can shoot more accurately with it.
Don't want to talk you out of the .38, but wanted to share that experience.