Dear mfunk, ~ Have you heard the saying "act as if" or "fake it 'til you make it?" If you can bring yourself to mimic your girlfriend's actions, e.g. show affection for your own female relatives and friends in the same way she does, this can accomplish wonders: you can come to understand the friendliness and innocence of such gestures; and she, watching you, can come to understand how you might feel. Mutual understanding can heal big wounds in a relationship. Jealousy and even rage can be replaced with, "Oh, okay," when there is understanding of the other's behaviors and feelings. And "oh, okay," can make it go away! Wishing you the best that love has to offer ~ billieJ