From Pennies To Yennies

This is Dan participating in his first Movember in 2008. Please consider making a donation of any size to his fund raising efforts this year! Just click here!

I technically met my husband Dan at a board game party in Vancouver, Washington in spring of 2007, but I didn’t really get to know him until early 2009, when we both happened to be in Las Vegas.

Ah, young love. This was the first time he visited my apartment in Portland, March 2009.

I clearly had no idea what our first November Movember would bring us.

Then this happened.

Movember has become a hugely popular fund raiser, but even as recently as 2009, it didn’t have as many supporters. Which left me with a boyfriend with this abomination on his face. I couldn’t bring myself to embrace the mo’.

But let me back up and explain Movember a little better.

Movember is a global charity that began in 2003 with a goal to “change the face of mens health”. Any man can participate, as long as they begin the month of November with a cleanly shaven face. Also known as “No-Shave November”, these men (also known as Mo Bros) grow mustaches that get people’s attention. When asked about their budding mo’s, a Mo Bro will tell them about Movember and how they are raising funds for mens health.

Women can also get involved though! Mo Sistas are supporters of Mo Bros and help with fund raising (or in my case, not shaving their legs!).

I was dubbed a Mo Sista and crowned Miss Movember 2009!

Funds raised from Movember are donated to programs to combat prostate and testicular cancer.

As I was saying, I couldn’t completely embrace the mo in 2009. I didn’t get it, despite helping fund raising efforts.

In 2010 Dan and I were living apart, so I didn’t get much time with him and his mo. I actually never saw it in person!

And again, in 2011 I was back in the states for a visit, but here is a photo of Dan at a work retreat

Photo by Max Levy

At this point in time, I’m slowly embracing the mo. I know it’s as important to Dan as my Portland Pink Sox Race for the Cure team, and I want to support his efforts. And of course, it’s for a good cause!

So we decide to get more creative for 2012.

But here’s the thing about Movember. It goes everywhere you do for that month.
Like family vacations to Kyoto where you were planning on snapping your Christmas card photo… til you remember…

Here I am, counting down the days left of Movember… you can just tell by the look on my face 😉

And so, this November first started out like any November 1st- Dan was clean shaven.

And while I might not be crazy about some of Dan’s mustaches, I love his dedication to it, that he has fun with it, that he fund raises for a good cause. And that’s something I can always get behind!

So I encourage you to take the time and donate to Movember and support Dan’s efforts. Dan is not very materialistic and whenever it’s his birthday or Christmas, he never wants anything. But this is something that I know would make his day Movember! He is kicking serious tail this year, and is on a team that has already raised almost $4,000! That’s incredible. And I’d love to have you be a part of it. I also always donate back when friends have charities/ philanthropies they are crusading for!

So, help a mo out. Let’s change the face of mens health!