Our childhood has hit the limelight in Stranger Things. One of the reasons Stranger Things is so unique is that it isn't just a great plot line- it encapsulates everything that made growing up so amazing.
Walkie Talkies, Bike Rides, Star Wars, and Eggos *before we adulted and stopped eating junk…of course* Childhood before technology took over was LIVING THE DREAM. Most TBTs nowadays remind of us of the really poor decisions we made in middle school, high school, and college. But Stranger Things is throwback as it was meant to be. We immediately become immersed back in "the good ol' days" when life and joy was found in the simpler things. But it is not just the incredible casting and fantastic storyline that makes Stranger Things so wildly successful. It is a looking glass into the childhood we never want to forget, and a reminder of three things we had and still need now that we are adults.
El (Eleven), Dustin (or as we endearingly know him- Toothless), Mike, and Lucas are #squadgoals. Their love for one another despite hurting each other's feelings at times is beautiful. We all had friends like that when we were young and life was less chaotic. It reminds us that even as adults, we still need:
A community that loves us when we fail. Even when we are really hurt and lash out, having a community that loves us is what we were made for. Sometimes that means we have to duke it out first like Lucas and Mike. But we need community we can be authentic with. People we feel safe enough to argue with, wrestle to the ground, and people who don't judge us for how many eggos we eat. Community isn't perfect- sometimes you find yourself sitting poolside at a party you really didn't want to go to and a monster eats you #justiceforbarb. But other times you finally have the courage to stand up to that person who always tried to define you and it makes it all worth it.
An ability to find adventure no matter where we live, work, or play. Break into the school gym? Check. Build a swimming pool with enough salt to float in it? Check. Eat all the pudding the school has in stock? Check. Ride your bike to run away from the bad guys in disguised vans? Okay...maybe that didn't happen, but we totally imagined it as kids. A run down town with nothing much to offer, or a 9-5 office job doesn't mean that you can't have adventure. It just means you have to get a little more creative. Stranger Things reminds us that true friends challenge us to adventures beyond what we thought we could do.
A friend like Dustin and Barb in our lives.
Sure, El has some different abilities than our friends did growing up. But when bullies try to make her feel less than because of her abilities Dustin shouts the Best. Line. Ever. in the show, "That's right. She's our friend and SHE'S CRAZY." We all want that friend. We all need that friend. The one who sticks up for us when we are being torn down. The friend who knows our crazy and celebrates that we are unique.
Unconditional community, adventure, friends that love our crazy. Stranger Things is the childhood we never want to forget, and the adulthood we can still have.
