Chuck

Bearded since: 2001. I am an experimental beard grower.

Comments:
I initially grew a circle beard, or goatee if you prefer, ten years ago and liked it so much I decided to keep it. In recent years, however, I have started attempting to grow the full beard out. As I mature, I feel more and more like I want a more mature appearance instead of a close shaven young man's version of a beard. I'm approaching forty, have two young kids, and I've gone back to school part-time -- almost finished with my first degree now... So maybe the scholar in me wants a nice professor's beard, too -- who knows?

How do I feel about my beard? I love it so far. I obsess about it too much right now and I'm constantly worried about how it looks. I work in a corporate environment, but they have actually been very accommodating so far and I haven't had one bad comment directed my way (yet). I am pleasantly surprised at the rate of growth currently as in the past the cheeks were very spotty and I never got past the thirty-day mark. I've been checking in here for encouragement and so far. I'm happier than I've ever been about the choice to grow out my beard. Thanks guys!