In When Ivy Met Adam (affiliate link!), the connection between Ivy and Adam carries a deep, timeless resonance.

וַיֹּ֘אמֶר֮ הָֽאָדָם֒ זֹ֣את הַפַּ֗עַם עֶ֚צֶם מֵֽעֲצָמַ֔י וּבָשָׂ֖ר מִבְּשָׂרִ֑י לְזֹאת֙ יִקָּרֵ֣א אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֥י מֵאִ֖ישׁ לֻֽקְחָה־זֹּֽאת׃

Then the Human said,
“This one at last
Is bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh.
This one shall be called Woman,
For from a Human was she taken.”

—Genesis 2:23 (The Contemporary Torah, JPS, 2006)

I don’t quote scripture directly very often, but I really wanted this sentiment in the book. The verse is more than ancient poetry—it’s a celebration of recognition, belonging, and connection. It’s a declaration of love so profound that it transcends the individual and reflects something greater.

This theme comes to life in the scene where Adam finally kisses Ivy, his voice filled with awe as he whispers, “This one, at last.” The moment is electric, rooted in both longing and discovery. Ivy describes the kiss as “warm honey waves of memory and hope and lust and fear” cascading over her, a sensory blend of the familiar and the thrillingly new.

Just as Genesis portrays Woman as an extension of the Human’s very being, Adam’s words reflect how deeply he recognizes Ivy as someone who completes him. Their story bridges the ancient and the modern, intertwining themes of sacred recognition with the raw, messy, and beautiful reality of human love.

In When Ivy Met Adam, I wanted to remind readers that love, in its purest form, is about seeing and being seen, declaring with joy, “This one, at last.”

Want to dive deeper? Pair When Ivy Met Adam with the companion guide, Studying Eve (affiliate links!). This Bible study journal invites readers to reflect on themes of love, identity, and connection through a modern lens. Together, they offer a rich exploration of what it means to say, “This one, at last.” Pick up the bundle today and experience love’s enduring power.