I feel you. We have always had cats and each one is different and special in their own way. I have to say the best was Fred. My daughters boyfriend found him while he had stopped on the side of the road to take a leak. Three kittens that someone had discarded in a tapped up box. He was laid back but fearless. Out of all the cats we had he was the best. Fred is on the right and my daughters cat Duncan on the left. Duncan was ornery but Fred could get along with anyone. It took about a month and they were best buds. The only humans that could touch Duncan were me and my daughter.
We now have Stinky Butt. Don't ask. Got him as a rescue and he has a bipolar problem. One minute he likes you the next your liable to get bit or scratched or both. He's getting better as time goes by. I think he was abused. About 4 years old and 16 pounds of lean mean kitty. I know exactly when not to touch him.
We also got a kitten we named Squeak. Hasn't meowed yet and shes 6 months old. Stinky tolerates her and even plays with her sometimes. This amazes me because she does what a kitten does which I would call berserk all over him. Nobody has really replaced Fred yet.