I had a beard from 1976 - 1992. Never shaved off through those years.
Trimmed only.
My kids would grab it and I'd swing them. That didn't last long.
Had hair to the middle of my back those years too. The long hair
was in when I was a kid.
I remember The Beatles started that. I saw them on the Sullivan show
and that ended my trip to the barber. School was tuff. Not many watched
the show I guess. Well I learned to fight pretty good trying to live as I wanted.
I may not had made it if I could've grown a beard too LOL.
I had to shave it off for my job. It was very strange and I looked much,
much younger without it. ( not something I really cared about )
I've had a mustache since high school ...never shaved off.