Dear Melanie,

My boyfriend wants me to go home with him for a long weekend to meet his family but I already know they don’t like me, so I’m a little hesitant about meeting them for the first time. They really don’t have a reason for not liking me, besides the fact that they have never met me. My boyfriend doesn’t let it affect our relationship at all, but I am still wary of meeting them. Any advice?

My advice to you is to not make any prejudgments about his family before you meet them. They may have had a preconceived idea about you because of something they heard; a fight you and your boyfriend had when he needed their advice or something small seen on a social media site, but they haven’t actually met you. If you try being the bigger person and remain unbiased towards them until you meet them, you will also show your boyfriend that you aren’t closing his family out before they have even met you, which will say a lot.

If your boyfriend doesn’t let it affect your relationship that’s even better. That tells me that he must really love you because a family’s opinion normally means a lot. Your main goal now should be to make his family fall in love with you too, not worry your boyfriend by being hesitant in meeting them because that is not a good sign for the future. Make your boyfriend see that you still want a relationship with his family because if you want to be with him, they are part of the package and I guarantee that it is just a huge misunderstanding about a lot of them not liking you if they don’t even know who you are.

I know that it could be scary and you are probably feeling really anxious, but if you love your boyfriend you have to make an effort for his sake. Family is so important to most people, as I am sure it is for you and your boyfriend, and I’m not sure how long you’ve been dating, but if you see any kind of future with him you need to try and make things right with his family.

Meeting anyone’s family for the first time can be nerve-wracking, but all you can do is stay true to yourself. I am sure that his family will soon grow to realize why their son loves you so much and they will too!