One day, I overheard the CTO talking about hiring more devs, and inquired with them about it just briefly. He set up a meeting and we talked shop and I told him my story, the kinds of things I made, what I liked. Already at this point I was elated: I could talk to a real person about technical stuff I am interested in, and they understood me, and even more, they wanted me to join the team! After so much emotional energy and hopes dashed by constant applications with no response, I didn't even care if I wasn't going to get a job, it was enough to just be seen. But I was going to get the job!
Just found out though that it's not going to happen, because they couldn't clear hiring someone to replace my current position; it's a startup and we are not doing well now (home brokerage startup). Will hold on for now, but not too hopeful anymore.
Just really really crazy to me how much I labored over applications and things for so long with just nothing at all back, and all it really took was being able to be in the same room as someone. Equal parts hopeful and frustrating honestly.