That is a great story! So glad you shared it with us!
In case anyone else is going through a similar process, don't forget that you can contact the framebuilder and get one made for yourself!
...assuming they haven't gone out of business, retired, etc. .....
While finally getting something after 20 years of lusting over it is a pretty incredible experience, it's also darned fun to work with a framebuilder and come up with your dream bike.
Steve in Peoria