So, you want to be a good boyfriend. Kudos. Good for you. Looks like you're in the right place. There are a couple quick disclaimers before we get started however.
1. The author has no experience with another other type of relationship besides M/F exclusive, therefore this article will speak to the reader with the assumption that his is a male seeking, or engaged in a one on one relationship with a woman. However, this article may or may not be applicable to other types, therefore use your own judgment if the above description does not fit your relationship.
2. The author does not suggest that these points will save or correct an otherwise broken relationship. Neither are they the sole determiners or a good relationship. They are merely suggestions, and are not the be all end all of relationship advice.
3. Just because the title says "being her boyfriend" does not necessarily mean that dating or other forms of an intimate relationship are excluded. The points laid out in the article; however, will most likely be expected from a boyfriend, whereas they may not be from a guy she is casually dating.
4. What works for some will not for others, so take everything with a grain of salt.
5. No two women think the same about relationships. Never forget that.
Now that that's out of the way, let's get started.
1.0 Involved
When I say "Involved" I mean get interested in her and her life. You want her to be interested in you and your life don't you? Relationships aren't one way streets. Being engaged and interested with what she does is an absolutely crucial element of having a successful relationship. If you choose to apply any of the advice in this article; do this above anything else.
It makes sense deep down doesn't it? Think about it. You're on a sports team. She comes out to see you play. (Whether this scenario has happened, or if it is completely in your imagination, the hypothetical is still accurate.) Having her there to support you is a truly great feeling. You love her for doing it, because it means that she cares about you and your life. What you do and who you are is important to her. So why should that only go one way?
Make an effort to be involved with her life! Support her activities/dreams/goals/ambitions.
Is she in a singing group? Go to a performance or two. Does she volunteer for a community service or church group? Go to one of the events, or better yet, ask if she thinks there is room for another volunteer. Does she read poems at an open mic night? Offer to be a sounding board for her drafts.
Now, there is a limit. It's called "not being clingy."
Unless you have a joint consensus that doing all the same activities and attending all the same events is acceptable, don't do it. If you are constantly with her by doing the things she does, going to her activities, or just generally being around her all the time, you are approaching a level of clingy similar to that of a stalker. You're her boyfriend, not her stalker. Get it straight.
Of course there is an exception to this exception. I have known many couples who are constantly together and do all the same activities, and it works for them. Great. I'm happy for them. This is not always the case however, and to start "getting involved with her life" by being by her side 24/7 without knowing to what extent she enjoys having you be involved could actually damage the relationship. Take it easy, start out slow. Be with her for some, but not all of the things she does. If she reacts positively, step it up a little. Always remember, when in doubt, just ask her. It's that simple. Just say; "Hey, do you want me to come with you to (insert activity/event here)?"
2.0 Conduct
How you comport yourself in a relationship is extremely important. Your actions set you apart from other guys, and poor behavior gets you negative brownie points in her mind. Just like you would get reprimands at work for misconduct, your girlfriend is only going to give you so many chances to act properly. She's picked you above many others. She could just as easily go back to the drawing board and choose someone else, so don't be an idiot and throw away the good thing you've got.
When I say "act properly," I don't mean change the way you are as a person. Don't go from being the jock she loves to party with, to some posh, quasi-aristocratic stick in the mud. Be yourself, but at the same time if you look at successful relationships there is a distinct pattern of behaviors that the boyfriends/fiances/husbands do to keep the relationship healthy.
2.1 Dates - Go on them.
Now lets talk about dates. Dates by my own definition and in this context are periods of quality time spent with your significant other. This does not necessarily mean that it has to be solely with your girlfriend, as double dates can count as dates as well. Similarly, "quality time" does not strictly mean going out to a swank establishment, eating escargot and sipping Charonnay while watching a dramatic reading of The Tempest. Quality time has different meanings for everyone. Some couples may absolutely love the aforementioned date, but I'm guessing that the majority would not. Quality time could therefore mean having a video game marathon, complete with pizza and soda, while sitting in jammies on the living room floor. As long as you both are having a good time doing something together, it counts as quality time. Just remember that it should be the two of you alone, more often than it is the two of you with company.
The distinction between a lazy night in and a date is sometimes blurry. While one couple may love to go out on the town every night and thereby understand "date night" to mean an activity out in public, another couple may absolutely hate public dates and be most comfortable staying home. What is most important to consider when planning a date is the following:
Have we done this before? If so consider a different activity. If every date night is a movie on the couch with popcorn, she will start to wonder if you are agoraphobic, or you just don't have the imaginative capacity to plan a fun date.