My girlfriend's dad is really strict, and I want to know how to make him like me. What should I do?

First off, I'm thrilled to hear that he's strict. That means that he loves her.

Recently I heard a father of five girls speak at a conference, and what he said really hit me. He said that when his daughter brings a date over to the house, he sits the young man down in private and asks him what his dream car would be. Let's say the guy wants a Hummer. So, the dad says, "Okay. Now let's say your dad gave you that truck as a gift and you waxed it up, polished the rims, and started cruising around the neighborhood with everyone watching. You pull up to a mall and you park away from the other cars to keep it from getting a ding. As you get out, a stranger comes up to you, compliments you on the truck, and asks if he can drive it around while you're shopping. Would you give him the keys?"

Understandably, the young men say, "No way! The guy is a total stranger." The dad replied, "I love my daughter infinitely more than you'll ever love any truck. So if you won't trust a stranger with your imaginary car, why should I trust you with my daughter?"

So, if her dad puts you through that question one day, make sure you become the man that her dad would be thrilled to entrust his daughter's body and heart to.

If a guy wanted to win your trust to take your Hummer out, what would he have to do? Just telling you that he has a good driver's record would do nothing for you. Talk is cheap. It takes time to win a person's trust, and I'm glad for this girl that she has a dad who loves her so much. I trust that you will love your own daughter just as much one day. So, if you are man enough to pass this test of her father, then you might win her hand in marriage one day if she is open to that. But you should honor this screening process of her dad, and do not try to fake anything. Be yourself.

Also, do not do anything with this girl that you would not be proud to tell her dad about. If you live like this, you'll probably earn his trust in time. But what is key is that you are not living like this for the sake of winning his approval, but because it comes naturally to love his daughter with such reverence. This is the love he wants for his daughter. If you really love his daughter, then you'll only want the same thing.