Gender & Eternal Identity

Quotes from Elder David A. Bednar's talk Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,

• "Gender is an essential characteristics of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose" and in large measure defines who we are, why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and become.  For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and complementary." 
•  "The man and woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way."  
• "As a husband and wife are each drawn to the Lord, as they learn to serve and cherish one another, as they share life experiences and grow together and become one, and as they are blessed through the uniting of their distinctive natures, they begin to realize the fulfillment that our Heavenly Father desires for His children.  Ultimate happiness, which is the very object of the Father's plan, is received through the making and honoring of eternal marriage covenants.

I am grateful that Nicholas is my eternal companion.  I have loved him since I was young and continue to grow more in love with him each passing year.  In this busy time of life; each day, week, and year we have to work at being united.  In learning that we are "different, distinctive and complementary" it taught me that we are meant to be different.  We can learn and grow together not in spite of our differences, but because of them!