Who are the first people you go to on bad days or good days? Who shares your struggles, your triumphs and your losses? No, it’s not your friends—think even simpler than that. Yes, this omniscient figure who I refer to is your one and only family—a term defined by Merriam-Webster as “a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head.” But it is truly so much more than that. Although cherishing moments with our families may be vital to not only our personal health but our memories as well, there has been a gradual decline in the most basic family ritual that takes place every night in a household—the traditional family dinner.

According to a study conducted by Gallup in 2013, nearly 53 percent of families with children younger than 18 reported their family eats at home six or seven nights a week. Although this may be the slight majority of U.S. families, keep in mind the other side of that number—nearly 47 percent of families do not take the time to cherish these dinners together that, as high schoolers, we will remember even as we move on into the real world.

I believe I fall into the majority of Americans and attempt to eat dinner with my family every day that allows it. Although some (myself included) are busy both during and outside of the school day, this does not serve as an excuse for us not to spend time with our family merely once every night.

Throughout the world, the importance of mealtime differs from country to country. In countries such as France, for example, meals are never to be rushed, and on the other side of the world in Cambodia, mealtime can almost be seen as a potluck as mats and foods are brought to share with loved ones. Even though the process of eating together isn’t as exquisite in the United States, the embedment of the traditional family dinner into cultures around the world helps to showcase its importance in our lives.

There are also health benefits to eating dinner together as a family. According to a 2012 study conducted by Rutgers University in New Jersey, eating together as a family leads to social improvements as well as increased health benefits for children. But the health and social benefits should not be the only reason that you continue to take part in this illustrious family tradition.

As a current sophomore, I have merely two more years after this year concludes before I move on to college. For the most of us, we have already spent more time with our families than we will spend with them for the rest of our lives. Even though this concept may be frightening to ponder, we all must realize that this is reality and there is no going back from here. We have already begun to pave our future for this next phase in our lives away from home and we must continue to do so with our families as well—the people there for your first steps, the first time you rode a bike, or, in my case, the time you fractured your thumb the first time riding a bike. The memories we share with our families are the ones we will hold on to forever, our personal secrets that keep us motivated to move forward. Facing the real world is a much more feasible task to conquer with the people who love you most by your side and just the tiniest act of eating dinner together as a family will help you in the long run. What do I encourage you to do? I urge you to cherish these family moments—they will be gone before you know it.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Bethlehem Daniel at [email protected].