Thank you, Sean.  I'm not sure it was courage as much as bull-headed determination and an aversion to change.  If I can inspire other guys to give it a try then I'm thrilled!  Perhaps I'll even get you to give it a whirl one of these days

It's been fascinating to watch how letting the sides grow in has slowly changed the shape of my beard.  It was a judge at the contest who noticed it and pulled me aside and suggested I let them grow.  I told him I already was and he said I'd be very happy with that decision in a year or so.  I should mention that he wore a beautiful fully-grey long beard.  The personal growth part, though, has been the biggest joy of all, Timpac.

Thank you, Ivo, and Happy Holidays to you and yours too!  At this point I'm so far along that I think I'd regret not at least trying terminal length.  The annoyances are real but mild in comparison and, yes, I agree about the braids.  They're not only fun but practical - I'm wearing a bid loose braid as I type this.

No worries, Twearded, I'm not turning back now and I'm glad to know I have a partner on the board in this quest!

Thank you, Karl!  It really has been fun to discover that parts of it reach terminal length sooner, and shorter, than others.  I have to say I get quite jealous when I see guys here with this beautiful, long soul patches, not to mention long mustaches!   It's been a wonderful journey made all the better by friends like you who've been here since I came on the board.  May the beard be with you too, Master Jedi!

I didn't realize that either, Paul.  It must have been prescience  The feeling is mutual, my friend. and I look forward to seeing where you go with your beard too now that you're planning to grow it out some more!

The pleasure's been all mine, Dave, thank you.  Now let's see where you go with yours!

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I spent Christmas Day at my daughter-in-law's mother's house.  It didn't occur to me until just before we left that I'd be the only guy there, an island of testosterone in a sea of estrogen smiley: eek.  It was a lovely day and I even got a photo that isn't centered around food!

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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