I’ve always had a nagging desire to grow a beard. I think most men have a point in their life where they just want to see how they look with facial hair. I’ve never really had a good excuse to grow one though and, although I have gone a few days without shaving and had some thick stubble, I’ve never really let my facial hair grow for more than a few days.

This weekend was the Varsity Scout Territorial Rendezvous and I finally had a lame excuse to grow a beard. I made a quick decision to stop shaving two weeks ago and figured I’d only have two Sundays where I wasn’t clean shaved. I should have started a few days earlier but oh well. The first week very few people noticed or made any comments. The second week, after a full week of growth I got plenty of comments and compliments. I also got one or two glares of disapproval. My young men liked the hair and at one point one of them even asked if he could touch it! I got called Brigham, Jedediah, and rebel. I also got asked what calling I was trying to avoid.

The experience was fun. The best part was seeing people’s reactions. I don’t usually seek attention but every once in a while I like to do something out of the ordinary and keep people on their toes. Those who know me well know what I’m talking about. The beard wasn’t too itchy. Sarah did complain that it was “poky” but as it got longer she got a little more used to it. Most of the time I didn’t even know it was there unless I looked in the mirror or got a surprised look or comment from acquaintances. I thought I looked halfway decent with a beard but it wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. There are several sections of my face where the hair is blond and, from a distance, you couln’t even tell there was hair. I would need to grow it long and shave the mustache and other blond sections so I could be as manly as Brigham Young.

I am glad to have my semi-smooth face back and so is Sarah. I couldn’t help but shave it off in sections to see how I would look with different beard styles.