Like most college students on break, I tried to sleep in as much as I possibly could. Studying for finals had taken a toll, so I took this chance to rejuvenate.

When Wednesday evening rolled around, I stayed up as late as on the previous nights. I figured that I would just stay in bed until it was time to get ready to go to my aunt’s house. Unfortunately, I was completely wrong.

On Thursday morning, I heard a knock on my door. At first, I thought I was dreaming, because it was still early. The knocking became louder, though, so I opened my eyes.

Giving me no time to actually wake up, my mom opened the door and told me to get out of bed. I immediately asked her the time. When she responded by saying nothing more than “a quarter to nine,” I rolled my eyes and groaned.

I was not supposed to be awake already.

When I asked her why she felt the need to wake me up, she said that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was going to start soon. The look on my face must have told her she needed a better reason than that, so she continued that it was a tradition for us to watch it together.

Sighing, I threw the covers off and got out of bed. I grudgingly walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth and put contacts in. Then I trudged downstairs and sat on the couch in my family room.

While waiting for the parade to begin, I tried to brainstorm a way to disappear back to bed. However, my ideas were interrupted when Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, anchors of the Today Show, started introducing the parade.

Suddenly, I was actually happy to be awake.

Why does any of this matter? Here’s why: I could have easily ignored my mom’s wishes and continued sleeping. But that would have been totally against everything that Thanksgiving stands for.

Sure, sleep is important. But it is not more important than being with family.

Sharing quality time with others and appreciating everything you have is what the holiday is about. Staying in bed for a couple extra hours is not nearly as valuable. I mean, years from now, when you are reminiscing about your younger years, are you going to remember all the times you slept in or all the memories you shared with your family?

You know the answer.

If you spent most of this past break in your bed rather than with your family, I encourage you to do things a little differently next time around.

Another opportunity is coming up in two and a half weeks, so take advantage.