How can conservatism survive if every generation strays away from the traditions of the past?

I was talking to a conservative friend in college about how his beliefs can survive over time.

Im very liberal, not extremely so, so my belief if that it is part of human nature to adapt and change depending on whatever current problems are. So to me it doesn't make sense to continue previous standards as it just restricts humans strive to change and progress. So in my eyes it seemed that conservatism couldn't survive for the future so I asked my friend this question.

For background he is a catholic, but not completely devout, and hold firm conservative ideals from what weve talked. He said he sees conservatism and progressive mentalities as opposite ends of a spectrum, but they both keep moving as generations pass. So a liberal belief now would be a conservative viewpoint in 100 years, much how views on slavery changed over hundreds of years. A liberal belief 100 years ago would be a conservative one now. Thats how he thinks the belief will survive through time, by simply being the rightmost edge of whatever society is at that point in time.

Do you agree or disagree ? If often wondered this question.