Salaam u 3aleikum Mike

Some people brought up good points about lots of non-Muslims having beards, which could mean that the hadith mentioning not imitating the disbelievers is invalid in this case. I can't tell u if that's true or not because I'm no scholar, but there are people like the Amish (Christian fundamentalists) that wear their beards EXACTLY like Muslims, shaving their mustaches as well.

However, the reason that's always made the most sense to me for growing a beard is that you feel more like a Muslim. For example, if you have a beard, can you imagine going into a bar and asking for a drink? Or stopping a woman on the street and asking for her number? Or even just looking at a pretty girl passing by? It kinda depends on the culture and the place you live, but I know that here in Egypt, men with beards would look really bad if they were doing anything Islamically unlawful. So it kinda keeps you in check.

It's a state of mind, more or less. If you feel like you're at the state that you would be comfortable with it, go for it. If not, then just make the intention to do it eventually and take it at your own pace.

Welcome to Islam!