Beard.

In homage to my husband and his love of facial hair (particularly his own), I am dedicating this post entirely to Sweet Beards.  Just remember all beards are NOT created equal, but diversity makes the world a better place... So, here are beards of all shapes, sizes, colors, length, thickness, textures, religions, and cultural backgrounds.

Preacher Beards 

aka The Holy Beard

D.L. Moody

Looks like somebody lived through the Civil War... No, really.. He did.

Charles (C.H.) Spurgeon

This guys has been called the "Prince of Preachers." I dub him the BARON OF BEARDS!
Scripture-sanctioned beardage?? Interesting. 

Charles Finney
No, kids... that is not Abe Lincoln's crazy-eyed cousin... It's the "Father of Modern Revivalism," or as I like to call him "Father of Facial Hair"

John the Baptist

If you look closely, you can see bits of locust and wild honey in there.

Pope Paul III

Papal beards were all the rage in the 16th century (as seen on Pope Paul III below)... and UK's Telegraph seems to think we need to Bring Back the Beard to the Papacy!

The thought is amusing... which leads me to my next point... 

Presidential Beards

No one would deny we need reform in Washington... I say, BEARD that place up! 

I mean... would we really still be talking about Abe Lincoln if he hadn't had that sweet beard?  (Yes...the answer is yes.)

 Abe Lincoln

He was the ORIGINAL bearded president.  While Martin Van Buren had some sweet chops, Abe brought the real deal in 1861.  (See CHIN STRAP below)

(After Abe, Andrew "Baby-faced" Johnson was a hairless wonder... probably why he had an impeachment trial.)

Ulysses S. Grant 

Sporting a beard I like to call "The General," this Union leader bearded the White House between 1869-1877. (Personally, I think Lee had a sweeter beard... but whatever.)

SIDE NOTE: BATTLE OF THE BEARDS

(The Civil War-era could also be described as the Battle of the Beards... This was a horrific time in American History... but represented the height of bearded sweetness.)

ROBERT E. LEE- Sporting the "Southern Gentleman"

Rutherford B. Hayes

That thing has potential to reach WIZARD status. Well done, sir. 

James Garfield

Heard of a cleft chin?  This is a cleft beard... of Split Beard if you will. Nice.

Chester A. Arthur 

This man is a LEGEND in the bearding world. You can guess what this one is called... The Chester A. Arthur!  It takes a real man to pull of this bare-chin version of the Wolverine. 

Benjamin Harrison

*Tear* Sadly, Harrison constitutes the last beard to sit in the Oval Office.  American hasn't been the same since.  

Crazy People Beards 

Because "Crazy Beard Guy" means nothing without the "beard."

Fidel Castro

I don't agree with your politics (or the fact that you are a straight-up psycho communist).... but I SALUTE your beard.

Ayatollah Khomeini

He hates the fact that an unveiled American chick wrote this blog. (Hence the scowl)

Karl Marx

His beard wants to take your beard and give it to someone who doesn't have a beard. 

BRP= Beard Redistribution Program

Joaquin Phoenix

Sometimes people grow beards for a role.... and sometimes they grow them for a role AND because they're nuts.

Hippie Guy

Who doesn't love a beard that smells like Pot, Body Odor, and the Thrift Store? Also, I'm 100% sure this guy has BEARDdruff.

Hey, I know... let's play a game of

Musical Beards

Kenny Rogers: "The Silver Fox" Edition

There is nothing sexier than a silver beard, open shirt front, and a gold chain on a man riding a horse. Period.

Randy Owen

Beard + Unibrow + Male Tank Top + Music from Country Supergroup Alabama = Yes, Please.

Brian "Head" Welch (formerly of Korn)
aka The Skank Beard

He left Korn when he converted to Christianity.  He now uses that super creepy beard to scare people straight.

"Convert or face the wrath of the Double-Braided Beard!"

Rainbow Beards

"Red and Yellow, Black and White"

The Irishman(Red)

Ginger-tastic! Also called "The Leprechaun" or the "McChinnigan"

The Viking or The THOR (Yellow)

He's definitely hiding a hammer in there. 

The Pirate (Blackbeard)

Arrrghhh! Me beard be worth more than me booty!

The Flesh-Colored Beard (White)

This translucent beard makes MY FLESH crawl. Not to mention the Creeper sportin' it!

I'll take 

Literary Beards

for 500, Alex. 

Ernest Hemingway
He is the old man in The Old Man and the Sea.

Walt Whitman 

Miscellaneous Beards

Here's the rest. A mishmash of notable facial hair:

The Middle Eastern 

Is it just me or does his beard scream "GITMO" to you?

The Paul Bunyan

It takes a manly man to pull this one of... but when it's fully grown, you have the uncontrollable urge to wear plaid.

The Santa

Arguably the most famous beard of the bunch... because it's magic. 

The Brahmin

Beard of choice for Hindu Holy Men everywhere. Similar to the Santa, but completely different!

The Capitol

This beard is pure evil... with a touch of whimsy. It says, "I want to be liked... but by all the wrong people."

The Chin Strap

Equally as creepy as the Flesh Beard, the Chin Strap is reserved for guys who are either a)Aspiring White Rappers, b) Latinos, or c) Date Rapists. Nothing says, "I street race my Subaru" like a Chin Strap.

The Peter Griffin

It hides your anatomically-correct chin AND houses a trio of tiny birds!

The Wolverine 

To achieve this look just grow your massive Chops together. (And genetically alter yourself to look like Hugh Jackman.... oh, and survive being pumped full of Adamantium) Good luck!

UPDATED ADDITIONS: 

The Duck and Buck

Also known as the "Outdoorsman,"  this beard requires minimal grooming which allows more time for beloved redneck activities.

The Sailor

Not to be confused with the Pirate, this beard accompanies a pipe, a rusty anchor, and eyes that long for the sea.  Usually sported by sad old men, it's been called the "Hemingway,"  "Sea Captain," and the "Old Salt" 

And last but certainly not least...

It has taken on many forms through the years, even been shaved... but it always grows back bigger and better. Let's take a trip down memory lane and honor THE SEXIEST BEARD OF ALL TIME:

THE BONNER

Shadowy

D.A.R.E. to dream of a beard this sweet.  He gets a 5 o'clock shadow in 5 minutes.

Scruffy

Also known as Sexy Casual... His tie is loose, and his beard grows wild. 

(I was going to say and so is his date... but LOL)

GROOMed

This look says, "I know my  beard is sweet... You don't have to say it." 

Mexican?

This bushy beard is muy caliente!

GLORIOUS

This is the Beard to end all beards...

This is...

THE BARRY BONNER BEARD