@Basil22
This is easily the best post I've read this year.
Can relate to most of what you said, esp. the part about dating the ML helped to strengthen relationship with your long term partner.

While the fact Yumi was a parlor worker made things harder, my impression is that it's not restricted to ML/WL. Let's say Yumi was simply a hottie (working in Finance or whatever) you met in the bar or at a party, and you fell for her. It's going to be the same thing. Once the initial excitement has worn off after a few months, reality sets in and major differences surface. I learned this lesson the hard way and wish I'd read posts like yours when I was in my 20s.