I regret to inform you all that Garrett had to shave his beard today. He has been unemployed for a bit due to some stupid circumstances out of his control, and was FINALLY offered a job today…but he had to shave the beard. He felt that having money was more important than having a beard (smart choice). While I am happy, I do feel quite bad. He was only about 2 and three quarter months away from the full year; he was so close! 

I almost forgot what his face looked like, and almost teared up when I saw his lovely face. I’ve missed it so much. Here are a few pictures of the unexpected shaving day. Neither of us were ready for it, but it had to happen…

Anyways, it was super fun writing this blog and I am sad it had to end early. I’ll keep it up just in case I run into any other beardy-situations. If you are interested in following my personal blog, click here.

This photo does not really do it justice. I think next month I’ll take the photo for him; he took this one himself.

*FYI: he straightens the beard for his update pictures to really show off the length…

I was in California for the weekend and I had mid-terms this week. Blah. Anyways, I thought I’d touch on a comment I have repeatedly received during the course of the Year Beard. 

When most women ask about the Year Beard, they ask how and why I put up with it. I often hear, “Wow, I would have broken up with him.”

Let me just say the unkempt, 9-month, grown out beard is gross. I don’t like that when I cuddle up next to him I get beard hairs in my eyes, nose, mouth…I don’t like watching him eat messy food, or non-messy food…I don’t like that one long hair that sticks way out and taunts me…I don’t like that it takes up most of his wonderful face…

BUT

I love Garrett. WHY ON EARTH WOULD I BREAK UP WTIH HIM BECAUSE OF A BEARD?! It’s his facial hair and he pretty much can do whatever he wants with it. I’ve had shoulder length, black and red hair and chopped it ALL off into a short, blonde, pixie cut and I heard NO COMPLAINTS from him. Most men would not be ok with their girlfriend having shorter hair than their own. It would be horribly shallow of me, or anyone, to break up with someone they LOVE because they have some gross facial hair. If our biggest relationship issue is a beard then I’d say I have it pretty good.

Let it be known that I would gladly put up with many a year of gross, unkempt beards if it meant I got to be with Garrett. Shame on anyone who has broken up with their significant other because of some sort of hair growth or haircut. 

Most recent beard photo. I dig the chest hair, but there is TOO MUCH beard. 

In fact, I found a long beard hair in my homework folder. Gross. 

And with that mental picture…ENJOY! 

Here is another submission from the same gentleman. This man is full of good beards. Again, thanks for the awesome beardage!

Anyone else think they can beat him? 

Just got this awesome submission from a lovely gentleman! That is quite the beard, sir. Thanks for the submission, it is much appreciated.

Here is a beard submission, apparently this was a challenge, although the details are unknown. Thanks Steve for the submission. This is quite scary!

This was the challenge: http://imgur.com/gallery/k81eq

Another lovely beard photo sent to me by a friend. 

I’d say Garrett is at “Sea Captain” which is oddly appropriate as we just came off of a ship. 

EDIT: After some deliberation I think Garrett is at “Grandpa.” Yuck.

Do you have a beard BEYOND “Sea Captain?” or “Grandpa” SEND IT OVER. 

Also, I’m pretty sure Dumbledor is the only “Super Wizard” beard I’ve seen, which is appropriate.

We are back! We had a wonderful vacation on the Carnival Cruise Ship. This was our first REAL trip together; no family, no friends, just us. I thought I would share some of my favorite beard photo’s from the trip. I know, having the word “favorite” and “beard” in the same sentence doesn’t seem like me but I have grown (har har) to live with it. Keep on reading to find some descriptions of the photos:

1. Beard just boarding the ship:

It was really a smooth process to board the ship. We drove from AZ to Long Beach at around 6AM, arrived at around 12:30, gave our luggage to the port people, waited in line and we were in the lunch buffet line by 1:30. This photo was right after lunch (Garrett had a cheeseburger and I had some mongolian; nom) and since we were a bit sleepy from the drive over, we both had some coffee. We were going to get our money’s worth in food. Eating 24/7.

2. The beard on formal night:

This was the second night on the ship. Garrett can really clean himself up. The beard, not so much. That dinner was delicious though. It was lobster night. Garrett doesn’t really care for seafood so he had steak. I had lobster, 2 of them actually. The older gentleman who was one of our table mates had 4. He ruled.

3. The beard on a fancy elevator:

I surprisingly really like the theme of this cruise ship. It was very art deco in architecture and color. You can sort of see it in this photo with that turquoise egg. I enjoyed the look of the elevator and it’s hard to get a full length picture of us (as there are only two of us and you don’t want to ask tons of people to take a photo). 

4. Beard on a bike:

This was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip. The first stop was at Catalina Island. We didn’t book any excursions through the ship, we decided to take our chances on land (especially because it’s expensive through the ship sometimes). We rented bikes for only $5 each and rode around the island. Most of it was uphill so it was a bit of a work out. We stopped at “lovers cove” to rest and take some photos. It was so much fun. Afterwards we got some chips, salsa, and guacamole at a local place, went back on the boat, and ate lunch. (Then took a nap, woke up, and ate some more)

5. Beard at sea:

This was taken on our last day, which was a day at sea. It was in the morning right after breakfast. Since the Beard has been in the humidity, it was a bit frizzy.

6. Beard in Ensenada, Mexico:

This was on the 3rd day, where our stop was Ensenada. This was my first time to Mexico. We didn’t have anything planned and found a semi-sketchy shuttle to La Bufadora (apparently it is the largest blowhole in the world) and a flea market. I was expecting a geyser, but what can you do. This was $15 each. If we had booked it through the ship it would have been $32 each. This photo was taken while walking through the flea market. The vendors would YELL at you to come into their stores; it was a little scary, especially because you didn’t know who was going to scam you. We knew the vendors were yelling at us when they screamed “Hey Fidel! Come in here!!” or “Mr. Whiskers, HEY MR. WHISKERS!” Hilarious. 

7. Beard in the sun:

This was what we basically did on our day at sea. It was nice to lay outside and not sizzle in the sun. Here is Garrett and the Beard relaxing and reading his guitar repair book.

**If anyone is keeping count there are about 4 months left of beard growing**

…




Garrett, the Beard, and I are going on a cruise for a week tomorrow! I am sure there will be some bearded traveling pictures. For now, enjoy the most recent update photo.

Do you know someone or do you have a beard that trumps this? SEND A PHOTO.