I took the plunge and decided to get rid of my beard. After eight months of being among the unshaven masses, I had grown rather attached to my beard. I had even named him Hank. We had some great times together; he sometimes caught wayward food, kept me warm in the winter, and even hid horrible skin blemishes for me. But all good things must come to an end, and I decided that it was time for my girlfriend to actually see what my face looks like.