The Camera

As some may know, I am taking a photography class in September and am very into taking pictures. I am very excited about all of it coming up so soon, but have been so nervous about making the decisions.
Canon vs. Nikon. Lenses. Software. Classes. Oh man, it's tough.
I've been doing lots of reading and research for a long time and had pretty much decided on the Canon 60D. Then one day last week I went out to all the stores and talked to lots of people to try to make decisions. They confirmed my thoughts, and I decided on the Canon 60D, but couldn't buy it before talking to Eric. Then he came home and we talked lots and I decided I needed to go back out and decide some lenses because I needed to know if I wanted the kit lens or not. So we did that again, and I came home not even certain (again) if I wanted Canon or Nikon. I was so confused!
So Saturday afternoon we went to The Camera Store downtown, figuring they would have more models I could play with and touch to see what would be best. I played with a Nikon D7000 and the Canon 7D. I considered long and hard switching to Nikon, because the guy was so helpful. He told me that Nikon has crisper colours and sharper images, and Canon takes better wildlife and action shots. That made me think twice about Nikon because that's what I want to do most. But the Nikon still didn't feel as nice in my hands.
Eric and I got out of the store and took a walk to talk things over out loud. We made pros and cons lists and they were still about even, except for the crisper colours on a Nikon. But that difference was so slight that I still felt a little stuck. I still felt very drawn to Canon, and my gut was saying Canon. Then Eric brought up an excellent point. He said "what are you going to use the camera for the most?". I said, portraits. He said "for now, but I mean later and forever". I said "pictures of our kids and families. Soccer games and playgrounds and stuff". So that wasn't the deciding factor, but it made me feel good about the decision that I'd already made I think: Canon. So I decided on the Canon 60D, in a little furniture store on 11th Ave downtown. So I did a little research about the lens that came with it at The Camera Store, because it was a different one than the other stores included. It turned out to be a great lens that I wanted, and you know what? The whole kit, with the better lens, was cheaper than any other store I'd been to, and the guy was more helpful.
So Eric said, why not now? I freaked out a little and then said, "I don't know". And so I came home that day with a new camera! I've taken it out of the box, and Eric and I have each had turns to play with it, but I haven't got a memory card for it, so 4 days later, I still haven't taken an actual picture with it. I think I'm nervous. I really don't have a reason to be, but I still am. I am nervous-excited about this purchase!