diff --git a/src/grung/examples.py b/src/grung/examples.py
index c6fa920..377e271 100644
--- a/src/grung/examples.py
+++ b/src/grung/examples.py
@@ -21,4 +21,5 @@ class Group(Record):
             Field("name", unique=True),
             Collection("members", User),
             Collection("groups", Group),
+            BackReference("parent", Group),
         ]
diff --git a/src/grung/types.py b/src/grung/types.py
index f5e3e3f..b860f52 100644
--- a/src/grung/types.py
+++ b/src/grung/types.py
@@ -127,15 +127,19 @@ class Pointer(Field):
     value_type: type = Record
 
     def serialize(self, value: value_type) -> str:
+        return Pointer.reference(value)
+
+    def deserialize(self, value: str, db: TinyDB, recurse: bool = True) -> value_type:
+        return Pointer.dereference(value, db, recurse)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def reference(cls, value: Record):
         if value:
             if not value.doc_id:
                 raise PointerReferenceError(value)
             return f"{value._metadata.table}::{value.uid}"
         return None
 
-    def deserialize(self, value: str, db: TinyDB, recurse: bool = True) -> value_type:
-        return Pointer.dereference(value, db, recurse)
-
     @classmethod
     def dereference(cls, value: str, db: TinyDB, recurse: bool = True):
         if not value:
@@ -186,7 +190,7 @@ class Collection(Field):
             return
 
         for member in record[self.name]:
-            reference = Pointer.dereference(member, db=db)
-            for backref in reference._metadata.backrefs(type(record)):
-                reference[backref.name] = record
-                db.table(reference._metadata.table).upsert(reference)
+            target = Pointer.dereference(member, db=db)
+            for backref in target._metadata.backrefs(type(record)):
+                target[backref.name] = Pointer.reference(record)
+                db.table(target._metadata.table).update({backref.name: record}, where("uid") == target.uid)
diff --git a/test/test_db.py b/test/test_db.py
index 06e4780..b8d7533 100644
--- a/test/test_db.py
+++ b/test/test_db.py
@@ -68,9 +68,13 @@ def test_subgroups(db):
     snw = db.save(examples.Group(name="Strange New Worlds", members=[pike]))
 
     starfleet = db.save(examples.Group(name="Starfleet", groups=[tos, snw]))
+    tos = db.table("Group").get(doc_id=tos.doc_id)
+    snw = db.table("Group").get(doc_id=snw.doc_id)
     assert tos in starfleet.groups
     assert snw in starfleet.groups
 
+    assert tos.parent.uid == starfleet.uid
+
     unique_users = set([user for group in starfleet.groups for user in group.members])
 
     kirk = db.table("User").get(doc_id=kirk.doc_id)