Close-ups rarely show a beard at its best. To really get a sense of how good your beard looks try standing about 6 feet from a plate glass window and look at your reflection. That's how your beard really looks, which I've not doubt is pretty nice. Trust your wife

Cheers!
Tom


Some helpful links:
Library Central of Beard Growing


Taming the Wild Mustache
Tips for eating and drinking with a big mustache

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
A jerk with a beard is just a bearded jerk, but a bearded gentleman is awesomeness personified. ~ Triibeard