It amazes me people blame airlines for not being seated next to each other when they have the option of picking seats next to each other, but choosing not to do so. Oh wait that's right, the OP didn't want to pay so its the airline's fault lol. Let the open mocking continue. I doubt the OP is still PLT because he would've been able to pick the seat for free, but even then his wife was on a different PNR and to the letter of the rules AA is not obliged to seat her in a premium seat for free.
Have fun at DL or UA, because they have the same exact policy regarding paid seats. If the airline picks a seat for you its free, if you want to pick a seat, it will cost money.