Welcome, congrats, I hope everything goes well!!

Do you want something for:

Commuting/running errands/getting around
Long rides on roads or paved trails
Riding on dirt/unpaved trails
All or some of the above
Other

Also, how much do you want to spend?

I started by getting a mountain bike, which I rode mostly on paved trails but also some dirt trails. After a couple of years I decided I wanted to do longer on-road rides, so I got a road bike. I went to a few local bike shops and told them what I wanted the bike for, and chose the shop that said they would measure me to make sure I got one that fit me correctly. I chose a mid-range bike, in terms of frame material and components, that is good for long rides but also worked for my budget (which was a bit over $1000 at the time).

Asking local cyclists for recommendations is a good way to choose a shop, or at least narrow down your choices. Someone here might be able to recommend one or two, depending on where you live, or you might be able to find a local cycling forum online.