Interview with a Bearded Gentleman

Grab a snack and fasten your seat beats. The Glorious Beard Chronicles was fortunate enough to interview a fellow-bearded gentleman, of course that assumes that I am indeed one as well, who was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule doing what he does to provide some profound wisdom and insight into the machinations of life with a beard. Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present Mr S, the aforementioned fellow-bearded gentleman.

Now Mr S, your beard is great; it suits you well. How do you personally feel about it?
So far, I am pleased with the progress. As you know, when the beard first emerges, you're nervous about having bare spots. (Great point.) Through patience, all things come together. That's the stage I am at now. I am excited about what the beard will offer next.

Was there a particular reason that compelled you to grow your beard now?
Sure. I attribute my decision to my upbringing in the Midwest. As a youngster, the Fall season brought with it not only a nip in the air, but many scruffy-faced family members. Let's not forget about the functionality of a beard. It is there to warm the face. I assume that I am predisposed to facial hair when the calendar changes to October.

I understand that you and your wife are having a baby, and congratulations are in order. Was that taken into consideration when growing your beard? More specifically, did you want to greet your baby with a beard or a mustache?
You have done your research J. As mentioned previously, beards can be functional. As a secondary benefit, they can be celebratory. As a sign of posterity and good fortune to my child on the way, I felt it necessary to display my outward sign of jolly. I believe the beard will be there to greet the baby. (Gravy!) Of course, I will be reducing the beard to my favorite style mustache at the end (Outstanding!) similar to "The French Jazz Musician." You can Google Angelo DeBarre if you're not familiar. (I, in fact, was not familiar, and Google'd the aforementioned Angelo DeBarre.)

How does your wife feel about your beard?
Hmm. I'll start by saying that growing a beard comes with sacrifice. First off, my wife grew up with a father that sported a first rate beard. That being said, she had an unconditional love for him and never knew him without a beard. Not the case with me. She is tolerant, but you can certainly feel restraint when I pull in for a smooch. (I can certainly relate.)

Now, the intriguing part of your beard pertains to its color, a reddish shade if you will. Yet, shockingly, your hair is blonde. How do you account for this?
I tell ya J, I nearly lose sleep thinking about that one. I do have a red-headed brother and some Scottish/Irish family roots. I just don't quite understand how the beard can choose to define its color in such a defined and distinct way. In a near perfect line, my normal hair changes color at the side burn. Of course, that is the beauty of a beard. Without letting it develop and grow, you don't what you have hiding. They certainly are like fingerprints, aren't they? (Yes, they most certainly are.)

I have noticed that you've committed to your beard for well more than a month at this point. Has there been a time in the past that exceeds this? How much longer do you intend to go?
Absolutely. Few people know that I wore a beard for years in college. It started at 19 years old. At first partly inspired by the Notre Dame leprechaun and partly afraid of the cheeks not filling in, I grew my beard along the jaw line and added the mustache connector. That style suited me well at the time, but I prefer the more dignified look of the full beard now. This particular beard will probably see its end after the baby is born. This, of course depends on the baby's reaction (which will undoubtedly be a combination of excitement, wonderment and full-on joy.)

Do you trim your beard with regularity?
Funny you mention it. I have made a vow to only trim the neck line. My wife recently pleaded with me to trim around my lips and I said no. Unfortunately, as a plea bargain, I now am not able to enjoy runny eggs, stews or chili. It goes without saying that when you don't trim around the lips, your beard gets first taste of everything. That includes my lunch time yogurt.

And finally, was there anything that you'd like to comment on, specifically, regarding your own feelings towards beards and growing one?
Patience. J, people just give up to soon. In my book, give it your best effort before any drastic decisions are made to trim it up or shave altogether. Different parts of the beard develop at their own pace. On another note, I am pleased to see more and more bearded fellows. It is hard to describe the joy of sipping a good pint (like Guinness) and having the hoppy aroma linger as it sits on the mustache to someone that has not shared the experience.

Thanks for the interview J. It is always a pleasure.

(Bold italics are my own, meaning J's.)

And it was certainly a pleasure on my behalf as well Mr S. Your insight and perspective are not only invaluable, they are welcome. Well, that wraps up our very first interview. What have we learned? That I am not nearly as dilusional as previously thought. There are others out there who share my passion and love of all things, or most things, beard. We have learned that weather plays a large part in growth; that babies enjoy being welcomed into the world by a mustachioed dad; and that our wives are only so accepting of their husbands growing a glorious beard.