I hope you are feeling better. I agree with Holding On - ML being a positive or not depends on you (and H). Your posts give the impression that it is mutually pleasant, that you don't feel used, and that the 2 of you feel closer following ML. If true, this sounds like a wonderful way to connect while you continue to work on other layers or dimensions of trust.
In my sitch, I've finally learned. Its not about the MIL/FIL, its about me and about WAW. The rest are merely background for our story.
You are doing excellent DB work. I enjoy reading your posts and learn so much from them.