Ah, home renovations—the perfect opportunity to discover the quirks and oversights left behind by previous owners or builders. It sounds like you really lucked out with that missing hole in the counter substrate. Who needs convenient access to plumbing anyway, right? Contorting your back and engaging in some advanced yoga poses while installing a faucet is definitely one way to make it more exciting. But hey, at least it makes for a good story! Just remember, every misadventure adds character to your home (and possibly a few extra gray hairs). Cheers to DIY adventures!