each distinct from the other, and both essential to human reproduction. Genesis 2 reminds us that without woman, man would be alone and bereft of companionship: “It is not good that the man should be alone” (verse 18). A search of the animal world revealed that there was as yet no creature fit to stand alongside the man as his companion in life and work. So God created woman—and man met his match! As different as male and female are, they are united in marriage on the basis of their common humanity.