It has been years ago, but I can remember my first time playing D&D: I was first introduced to the Basic Dungeons & Dragons Game (Holmes edition) at a friend's birthday party in 1977. Later, I would also play Advanced Dungeons & Dragons while at summer camp in 1979.
Eventually, I would purchase my own copy of the D&D rules (Moldvay edition) while in middle school in 1981 or 1982 as I joined a group of friends who were immersed in the game. Over the years, my gaming group would evolve, and we would gravitate to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st edition/2nd Edition) during middle school and high school of the 1980s. I also attended GenCon 21 / Origins in 1988. It turns out that my parents didn't like the idea of me traveling to Milwaukee, WI all by myself and without telling them.
Such fun at age 17 years old = "grounded for a month!”
After college, I enlisted in the Army, and during this time the responsibilities of adulthood set in -- work, family, kids, etc. I did continue to keep up with the new editions of the Dungeons and Dragons game as they were released, and I would try to find a group to game with when time allowed. Ironically, I would end up serving over 22 years on active duty before finally retiring in 2016.
Now with a greater appreciation of my leisure time, I have embraced my love of the Dungeons and Dragons game from my youth. I look forward to our adventures across the table.