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I like this thought, and I'm sorry but I have to say it: "thrives" feels awkward here. I think "makes you thrive" would have been a bit less clunky.

Maybe they meant “drives”?

Yeah that would work too 🙂

Sort of doing this right now, and this is absolutely correct. We're both pushing each other to be better people, but she's helped me become so much better than I was before I met her.

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She/he wouldn't be with you if you weren't in the same league personality wise. Which positive person is gonna date a negative person? None

Humans are more complex than the binary positive/negative. You may have negative attributes which your partner compliments with their positive attributes, and you may have positive attributes which your partner compliments with their negative attributes. If both partners are willing to learn from each other, this can lead to massive growth as you each give an example of how to change the other's negative characteristics.

My head went to "strive", but I suppose either works. I don't think "thrive" in either usage works, OP is clearly talking about wanting to do something, not being successful.

We are only correcting your usage so you can impress that exceptional SO of yours, OP.

You hear that ladies, I can make you want to be a better person

Like my parents, they were sort of one is the opposite of the other, but they gave birth to me who have both of all their negative traits combined

Yeah you're absolutely right. It becomes abundantly clear when you replace "thrive" with one of its synonyms like "prosper" that it doesn't really work either way. Thanks for bringing it up!

Until you realize that thinking someone’s personality is superior to yours makes you insecure, and they dump you. Then you feel twice as crappy, but also have no incentive to change since you know you can’t win them back. And then your life devolves into mental and physical self hate.

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Well you haven't met my SO yet!

Especially if you meant positive/negative (also) as moods. He is generally happy and I am a depressed mess hardly able to function.

Thank you. My thoughts exactly

My partner is out of my league looks wise and of course it drives me to be a better person. My looks are pretty much established at this point but I can be kind and be a good listener and take care of her and be a good provider.

Mine too!

So do the two instances of 'you league'

You can be both. Why people love to reassure themselves to stay mediocre? Even looks can be changed for the better (not talking about surgery).

That's the other path! Either the pain drives us to improve, or it makes us crumble

I think you underestimate how inspiring really beautiful people are just by existing. It's like living on a mountain. So I'm told.

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I did both, and we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this past spring.

Yup!!!! I found myself a wonderfully compassionate and kind soul of a husband and he has made me a better person being with him.

It's a great sentiment but man, English title gore.

I think I’m sort of evil, but am self aware and realize that won’t get me far. As a result I have the most benevolent partner a man could ask for. She truly makes me a better person.