Matt "Boots" B.

Bearded since: 1997. I am a dedicated, permanent beard grower.

Comments:
Started out between my junior and senior year in high school when we spent a week canoeing the Allagash. Got back, and noticed I had a pretty good crop of stubble going, and figured I'd let it go. I have a full beard in my senior pictures. Been going ever since. Only been completely clean shaven once since. Shaved it off one time for my mother for Christmas. She'd been after me to do it ever since I grew it. Immediately regretted it, told her to take lots of pictures, because it was NEVER happening again. Currently been really letting the beard go just to see what happens. It used to bug me when it would start getting some length and I'd have to trim it back, but this time it just kept getting longer and I kept not caring. This is almost a year of growth.

How do I feel about my beard? I kept my beard in college because I realized how many guys couldn't grow one, despite trying. Goatees were everywhere. Very few had beards. Many just lacked the ability to grow one in. My freshman roommate tried to cultivate one and just looked like had mange for two months. I grow my beard for all those that can't. It makes me look much older, which I've never had a problem with. With my beard, I look ten years older. Without it, I look twelve. There's no happy medium. So I'll stick with the beard. I like it. Nobody really grows serious beards anymore. It's a shame.