The ones you call when you had a bad day. The ones you can’t wait to share good news with. The ones who taught you how to walk and talk. The ones who have your back no matter what. These are the ones I can’t wait to go home to this holiday season.

Even though I try to call home as often as possible, it’s not the same as being there in person. From eating your mom’s cooking around the dinner table to hanging out with your siblings and catching the game, few things are greater than spending time with the ones you love.

For the past three years, my Thanksgivings have been hindered by the commerciality of the holiday season. As a sales associate working on Black Friday, I had to be up before the sun. I wasn’t able to relax after stuffing my face and stay up late with my family to spend as much time with them as possible. Instead, I was anxious and anticipated having to wake up in a few hours to work an eight-hour shift. After looking forward to coming home from school and visiting with my parents and brother, it was incredibly frustrating and challenging to leave them for an entire day after just getting back. It was completely my choice to work in retail and working on Black Friday was unfortunately, one of the unavoidable results.

This year, I get to do Thanksgiving the right way. I don't have to worry about dealing with unhappy customers or getting trampled by hardcore shoppers. Instead, I get to spend the holiday in Texas, visiting my older brother and his family with my parents and younger brother.

I cannot stress the importance of spending time with your family enough. However, getting to celebrate the holidays with them makes it that much more special. Your family understands you in ways that no one else can. They know everything from what makes you, you to your favorite food.

Thanksgiving break gives you a sneak peak into Christmas vacation. It’s wonderful to catch up with your loved ones, but it’s even greater to know that you will be back in a couple of weeks to stay for an extended period of time. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I can’t wait to spend it with my family. Attending seasonal plays, baking cookies and watching Christmas films is in the near future and I couldn’t be more excited. I can’t wait to grab a hot chocolate, go ice skating, belt out Christmas carols and take a little break from school work. Even if the weather outside is frightful, I’m incredibly thankful that I get to spend the holiday season with the ones I love.