My very first experience with D&D was in middle school. I was in Sumer school and these boys in my class started to play, including my super serious boyfriend eyeroll. It looked like so much fun and I wanted to play but they wouldn't let me because I was a girl. After complaining they finally relented and said I could play as an NPC in town. I opted out and regardless of the negative experience, I just remember the feeling of seeing something amazingly fun and entertaining. It would be many long years before I would get my chance to play. In my early 20s through a friend of a friend situation, I found a group and was finally able to play. We played with 3.5 rules and I loved the experience. This only lasted for about a few years. Sadly it ended due to life and I haven't played since. I'm very much looking forward to playing again and a little nervous.