You’ve finally gotten the girl of your dreams to go out with you. In fact, she’s agreed to be your girlfriend. While it may seem like smooth sailing from here on out, this is only the beginning. And one of the best ways to keep your relationship strong is to win over your dream girl’s family and friends.

Yes, you’re dating her, not her BFF or kid sister, but how you interact with the people closest to your girlfriend—and what they think of you—will have a huge impact on your relationship. Just like you build bonds with your friends and family, girls build strong relationships with theirs and you need to respect this and get to know these people. When you take her out on a date, stop in for a minute and chat up her dad instead of waiting for her at the curb. If she invites you to Sunday dinner, show up, even if you hate meatloaf. Sit with her friends at lunch once or twice a week and really get to know them. And never, ever give her grief for wanting to hang out with her girls. One of the quickest ways for your gf’s friends to turn on you is if they think you’re keeping her away from them. While you don’t have to love all of her friends, you do need to at least make an effort with them.

Your girlfriend will probably want to get to know your family and friends too, so make it a point to have her over to hang out when your parents are home or bring her along when you chill with your friends. While how you treat each other is what really matters, being in a healthy relationship also means being a part of each other’s lives—and the people who are in them.   So don’t close yourself off or get all possessive with your girlfriend’s time.

Have you had trouble getting a girlfriend’s friends or family to like you? How did you handle it? Have you ever dated someone who didn’t like your bf/gf?  How did you get everyone on the same page?

Funding for this project was provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant Number: 90-FE-0024. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

Michelle Hainer is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in numerous national publications including InStyle, The Washington Post, People, and Teen People. A former teen magazine editor, Michelle’s covered everything from pregnancy to peer pressure and is now covering all things relationship for Stay Teen. Have a question for Michelle? Send us an email!