I've gotten a lot more disciplined since dating Sue.

In the words of Megan Rapinoe, “I’ve gotten a lot more disciplined since dating Sue.” — there lies a truth that hums quietly but powerfully in the heart of human experience: that love, when it is true, refines us. Beneath the simplicity of her words is the story of transformation through companionship — of two great athletes whose union does not merely bring comfort, but calls forth greatness. Rapinoe, known for her fiery spirit and unrelenting courage on the field, reveals here that love has been her teacher, her mirror, and her forge. For it is often in the presence of one we deeply respect that our scattered energies are gathered, our impulses tempered, and our potential shaped into purpose.

To say, “I’ve gotten a lot more disciplined,” is not a confession of weakness, but an acknowledgment of awakening. Discipline is not born of restraint alone; it is born of love rightly directed — of caring enough about something or someone to act with intention. In the ancients’ language, this is the difference between eros, the passion that consumes, and agape, the devotion that elevates. Rapinoe’s words suggest that through Sue Bird, she discovered the balance between passion and purpose, between freedom and form. What she once pursued through force of will, she now approaches with clarity and focus, the kind that comes when the heart finds both challenge and harmony in another.

The ancients would have recognized this as the alchemy of love — the way one soul, by its example, draws forth the hidden virtues of another. Consider the tale of Aristotle and Alexander the Great. Though teacher and student, their bond reflected this same transformative power. Aristotle, the philosopher of reason, shaped the young conqueror not by commanding him, but by showing him the strength of intellect and self-mastery. Alexander, whose nature was tempestuous, learned to temper his fire with wisdom. So too, in Rapinoe’s words, we hear the echo of that timeless exchange — one spirit refining another, not through dominance, but through mutual respect and inspiration.

Discipline, in this sense, is not merely the act of waking early or training harder; it is the art of living with purpose. It is the steadying of the self so that greatness may unfold in its proper time. When Rapinoe speaks of Sue’s influence, she speaks of balance — of learning that victory is not only in strength but in composure. In the quiet companionship of someone who mirrors our best self, our scattered ambitions begin to take shape, and what once seemed chaos becomes craft. The discipline that love brings is not that of restriction, but of alignment — the joining of heart and mind toward a higher calling.

There is also humility in her words, and humility is the first mark of the wise. The warrior who knows her power and yet bows to the influence of another is not diminished; she is perfected. Rapinoe, a leader on the world stage, shows that strength is not the absence of guidance but the courage to receive it. The ancients revered such openness. In the teachings of the Stoics, Seneca wrote, “Associate with those who will make you better.” The company we keep shapes the soul we build. To be made more disciplined by love is to walk with someone whose presence reminds us daily of the standard we wish to meet.

Sue Bird, herself a master of consistency and calm, embodies the grace of the seasoned athlete — the kind of steady excellence that sharpens those around her. Her influence on Rapinoe reflects the old wisdom that love is not merely affection but accountability. The right partner, like the right mentor, demands the best of us — not through force, but through example. It is in this way that love becomes not indulgence, but transformation. The union of two strong souls creates not competition, but synergy; not complacency, but ascension.

So let us draw from these words a lesson as enduring as the bond they reflect: seek relationships that make you better. Let love not lull you into comfort, but awaken you to your highest self. Walk beside those whose discipline steadies your fire, whose grace balances your ambition. For just as steel sharpens steel, so does one noble heart shape another. Surround yourself with those whose presence commands respect, and you will find that your own life begins to align with clarity and purpose.

And when you find such a companion — one who calls you to discipline not by criticism, but by example — cherish them. For as Megan Rapinoe reminds us, true love is not a refuge from growth, but its very source. In its quiet way, it teaches us the most ancient and powerful truth: that to love deeply is to become better, not only for another, but for the self that emerges — steadier, wiser, and more whole.