In late 1996 I grew a full beard. In July of 1997, while in Hong Kong on a two week business trip, it was too hot so I shaved it into a goatee. It's been like that ever since.
Last night I decided that I would shave even that off. It has been twelve and a half years with a goatee. I wanted to go without for the summer.
Claire happened to wake up early today, before I left for work. As we were sitting and talking, she didn't notice that my facial hair was gone. At a pause in our conversation, I said "Claire, did you notice my beard is gone?"
She stared at me, eyes wide, silently taking in this change. She asked but one simple question:
How?
In the conversation that followed, she was clearly amazed that I had taken my beard off. She seemed to considered it equivalent to taking one's ear or nose off their face.
14 weeks 3 days ago
5 years 37 weeks ago