I really enjoyed that. I am sure most of us have been through the terrifying process of wondering how a barber might handle our beards. It sounds like you made a good decision.

My personal experience: I built a relationship with my barber - allowing him to cut my hair (despite him asking to give me a beard trim a couple of times). I had been going to the same barber for a year before he touched my beard (I was only bearded for about 4 months of that year though) and I am glad I did. I let my beard grow quite considerably beyond the control level I was comfortable with, and asked him simply to tidy it - he did exactly that. 

That was a bit of ramble. But essentially - letting someone deal with your beard is a decision of trust - so I think it's important to build a relationship of trust first.