Do you have a video camera?

I have to admit that I know nothing about video cameras. I don't even think I know how to work one of the new snazzy ones they have out on the market. I have an old one that is pretty simple. The smaller ones look more complex, but maybe I'm wrong. See, I know nothing! Which is why I need your help.

Tomorrow is Neil and my 8th anniversary. I can't hardly believe it. We've been together 14 years. Each year I think, wow, it doesn't feel like it's been that long and I can't believe it's been that long, but then I count backwards and realize it really has! And then I think how I've absolutely loved every year of it and secretly I'm always thinking about another wedding where we renew our vows. Just a dream, but maybe one day it will happen? I take notes at the weddings I shoot . . . shhhhh!

Anyway, I am completely blessed to have been chosen by Neil. He is quite possibly the best husband ever. (I've even had friends tell me that in a way that I feel like they're saying in a very loving way "don't take him for granted!") And we've never really exchanged nice meaningful gifts before. We're just not all that into that. (Sappy, I know, cuz that's me, but we have each other!) I think I've bought him clothes in the past . . . but nothing that ever pertains to us. So my first thought was, how about a video camera?

So I bought one. I think it's a great gift for him. We'll both use it of course, but this piece of technology he can be in charge of. I'm usually stuck behind my camera (but because I want to be!), so this one he can be stuck behind. I'm just not sure I bought the right one.

I went into Best Buy with having done zero research. But I talked to the sales boy (yes, he was a boy) and he really knew a lot. (You know, we can all tell when they're pulling it out of their butts or out of their heads.) So I think he led me down the right path and didn't talk me out of a medium-priced camera.

So my question is, what do you use? Do you like it? Is it a tape camera, a memory stick camera, a DVD camera or a hard drive camera? Tell me all about it. Then I'll tell you what I got and if I'm keeping it (based on what you tell me --- ha!).