what would you recommend ?

1999 i planned on taking a trip to visit friends and needed a visa because i had planned to stay for more than 3 month . back then i was young (21) and was just ready to go and party , party ........but i did not prepare myself to be qualified to get the visa (b-2) . i had to send in these forms and then was invited to the interview . but i showed up with empty hands (did not show relations to germany , nor big account , etc...) so i received the stamp "application received" into my pass .
so i was only able to visit for 3 month and could not do what i have planned ......
now 7 years later i have saved a lot , and also be qualified to get visa . i would be able to go on another trip for about 4-5 month again . i have already invitations from friends which are the reason for my trip .
i know this was a long story but had to tell it up front to clear things up .

i called the us - embassy in berlin (germany) and they told me not to send anything up front , just make the appointment and bring everything (forms 156,157 ...etc). i have to answer a question in that one form if i have ever applied for a visa before ..................

i want to be honest about it and tell them what happened back then , i did not do anything wrong and i also have the original paper where they have marked the reason (no relation to home country , big account , etc..) why i have been denied back then . do you think i will have a problem getting a visa this time ? i think it is better to be honest about it .....but what would you suggest or advice me to do . i really would love to go this time on my planned trip .

thank you for all answers