CARBONDALE, Ill. -- It's not often you see an eclipse. Furthermore, it's extremely rare to be born during the peak of an eclipse.
This is what happened though for one special person. In 2017, Charlotte Easterly-White was born, right at the time of the peak of the eclipse on August 21, 2017 in Pensacola, Florida.
Charlotte's mother, Taria White, described the experience in the hospital that day, stating her daughter came earlier than planned.
"I was set to have her about five or six p.m.,"Â Taria White said. "So, most of my family were kind of just trickling in when I actually did give birth to her. The nurses and the doctors were off doing other things and my nurse had left me with the yoga ball there bouncing on it. And literally within 15 minutes, I started having major contractions. Everyone started rushing around. The doctor almost didn't even make it to deliver her. And, I mean literally within 15 minutes she was born. Most of my family hadn't even been able to get there, but she was born apparently while everyone was outside watching the peak. She is a pretty amazing."
Since Taria and Charlotte were in the hospital at the peak of the eclipse, they didn't get to experience the rare celestial event.Â
Now, nearly seven years later, Charlotte and Taria are going to travel to Carbondale, Illinois, to see and experience the rare phenomenon as a spectator.
"I started looking at the map and I saw that Carbondale is where it crossed in 2017 and it's crossing on Monday. And I thought it would be very super special," Taria White said with her daughter by her side. "Super special for her to get to witness it since she was just coming into the world the last eclipse. We're really excited. We're gonna head out on Sunday and drive up that way."
Taria says it's an extra special day for her daughter and her family.
"Well, it makes it extra special because while I was giving her life and she was being born and it was one of the most intense moments of my life. We obviously didn't get to witness it here, which it wasn't a totality. But, I do think that there's something very special and rare to be born, especially at the exact time that the eclipse has happened. I believe that it's going to be something that she'll remember for the rest of her life."
Their family plans on taking a lot of photos and embracing every moment they can during this experience.
I just want her to have a memory that she'll never forget.
For Charlotte, she can't wait!
"I'm really excited!" Charlotte said. "See you soon!"
