Congratulations and what a journey. I'm 33 and can't imagine waiting that long for a dream hunt. Good for you for sticking with it, hope i'll have an experience or two like the one you shared.
I think a lot of people apply for the dream of drawing the tag, and then when they do they realize oh crap, i don't actually have the time or desire to devote to it.
The one rule I believe they have is you can't get drawn for a species in the first draw, not buy the tag, then apply for that same species in the second draw.