My First Time ...

Buying a house, riding a carousel and more! Share the milestones in these PEOPLE.com readers' lives

2 of 7

OWNING A HOUSE

Whitney Tidd of Knoxville, Tenn., writes: "I bought my first house this year! I scrimped and saved for a few years to be able to afford the down payment, but I finally did it! It's so special to me because I'm only 26 years old. Five years ago I never would've thought I could do something like this, but I did it! I'm very proud of myself."