Netflix’s “Forever”: A Love Story That Hits Close to Home

As a mother to a daughter near the age of the main characters, this show resonates on an entirely different frequency. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a mirror reflecting the delicate dance of modern parenting. Those experiences of my own teenage years—times when mistakes felt too heavy to share, when the fear of disappointment led to layers of unspoken truths—now shape how I parent, pushing me to create a different story for my daughter, one where honesty isn’t scary and mistakes aren’t the end of the world.

Breaking New Ground

Set in 2018 Los Angeles, the show follows two Black teens, Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.), as they navigate the exhilarating and complex territory of first love. What makes “Forever” stand out is how it handles both the universal and the specific. While the core story of young love remains timeless, showrunner Mara Brock Akil has crafted something revolutionary by centering Black teens and their families in ways rarely seen on screen.

Modern Challenges & Timeless Themes

The series tackles everything from college aspirations and parental expectations to social media pressures and identity formation—all while maintaining the tender heart of a love story. These themes resonate deeply with today’s reality while acknowledging the eternal nature of coming-of-age experiences.

Family Dynamics That Ring True

The show’s strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of family relationships. Justin’s parents, played brilliantly by Karen Pittman and Wood Harris, remind me of the parent I strive to be—present, understanding, yet navigating their own complex emotions about their child’s journey into adulthood. Their struggles mirror my own as I work to be there for my daughter through both her triumphs and stumbles.

Breaking the Cycle

For parents like me, “Forever” serves as both a reminder and a guide. It prompts us to examine how we can create spaces where our children feel safe sharing both their joys and their struggles. It’s about breaking cycles of silence and building bridges of trust that I wished for in my own teenage years.

Supporting Our Children’s Paths

A pivotal aspect that “Forever” touches on—and one that deeply resonates with modern parenting—is the delicate balance of guiding our children while allowing them to chart their own course. As parents, we often carry our own dreams and expectations, perhaps shaped by our cultural background or personal experiences. While college has traditionally been presented as the golden ticket to success, particularly in our community, today’s landscape offers diverse paths to fulfillment and financial stability.

The beauty lies in acknowledging that success isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Some young people thrive in traditional academic settings, while others flourish in creative fields, entrepreneurship, or skilled trades. The digital age has revolutionized career possibilities, with many successful professionals building empires through social media, content creation, or specialized technical skills—paths that didn’t exist when we were making our own life choices.

To push or not

What matters most isn’t pushing our children toward a predetermined path, but equipping them with critical thinking skills and supporting their agency to make informed decisions. Whether they choose college, trade school, entrepreneurship, or another path entirely, our role is to help them understand the implications of their choices while standing firmly in their corner. This means having honest conversations about financial literacy, work ethic, and long-term planning, regardless of the path they choose.

The power of choice

The real triumph of parenting isn’t in steering our children toward what we think is best, but in raising confident decision-makers who feel empowered to pursue their authentic ambitions. Sometimes the hardest part of parenting is watching our children make choices different from what we would choose—but that’s exactly where trust and respect for their journey becomes paramount. After all, some of life’s most valuable lessons come not from following a prescribed path, but from navigating the consequences of our own choices, both good and challenging.

In “Forever,” we see this play out through the characters’ various crossroads moments. These scenes remind us that our role as parents isn’t to be architects of our children’s futures, but rather to be their sounding boards, their safety nets, and their unwavering supporters as they build their own bridges to tomorrow.

Authentic Teen Representation

Perhaps most refreshingly, “Forever” treats its teenage characters with remarkable respect. Their communication skills and emotional intelligence feel authentic rather than forced. The show trusts its young characters to have complex inner lives while acknowledging they’re still growing and learning—just as we parents are growing and learning alongside our children.

Critical Acclaim & Cultural Impact

Already renewed for a second season, “Forever” has clearly struck a chord with viewers and critics alike. With its 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s being celebrated not just for its romantic storyline, but for its contribution to how we tell stories about young Black love, family, and coming of age in contemporary America.

A Tool for Connection

The show serves as a powerful conversation starter between parents and teens. It opens doors for discussions about love, trust, mistakes, and growth—conversations that might otherwise feel too awkward or difficult to initiate. For families navigating the complex terrain of adolescence, “Forever” provides a shared language for understanding and empathy.

The Viewing Experience

Whether you’re a parent, a teenager, or someone who simply appreciates thoughtful storytelling, “Forever” offers something special—a love story that feels both timeless and perfectly attuned to our present moment. It’s streaming now on Netflix, and trust me, this is one show that will spark important conversations in your household.

A Call to Better Parenting with Netflix’s Forever

As parents, we have the opportunity to learn from our past experiences and create a more open, understanding environment for our children. “Forever” reminds us that while we can’t protect our children from every heartache or mistake, we can certainly be there to support them through it all, creating the safe space we might have yearned for in our own youth. Make sure you watch it!