Birthdays are special days for every dweller of planet Earth. It’s especially fun when they coincide with other holidays (unless you end up with a 2 in 1 gift) or notable events such as a pie day or rare celestial events. Baby Alvarez made her entrance to the world with a bang on the 8th of April, 2024 as the world was preparing to observe a rare total solar eclipse. Her unusual birth story also earned her a very unique name.
More info: YouTube
A family from Texas has welcomed their second child during a total solar eclipse
Image credits: Methodist Health System
The birth of a child is an extraordinary event in anyone’s life. Be it on a drab winter day or during a summer storm, the arrival of the little one forever marks an ordinary day, transforming it to one of joyous celebration. The Alvarez family were expecting the latest addition to their household, marking the 17th of April, baby girl’s due date, in their calendars.
Turns out, only about 5% of babies are born on their due date, many choosing to come earlier or later. Baby girl Alvarez decided to show up almost two weeks early just in time to witness a total solar eclipse. Now that’s a great birthday story to share!
When her mom Alicia went into labor early, she didn’t expect to give birth so soon, but her doctor made a fateful joke.
"My doctor had joked 'Oh, you're gonna have this baby on the eclipse. So then you have your sun and the moon,'" Alicia recalled. "And I just didn't pay her any attention."
Image credits: Methodist Health System
Almost two weeks early, the baby girl was born at 1:04 pm just as the moon was moving over the sun
Image credits: Methodist Health System
Once labor started, Alicia’s husband Carlos rushed her to the hospital through massive traffic as Forth Worth was full of astro-tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the celestial event. Fortunately, they made it just in time to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center where their baby girl was born, weighing 6 pounds and 7 ounces.
“I didn’t realize it would happen so close to the eclipse. We already had our glasses and prepared to watch it somewhere else, but we were ready.”
The little one entered the world at 1:04 pm, just minutes before the sun was fully eclipsed by the moon.
Image credits: Jongsun Lee (not an actual photo)
"She opened her eyes as soon as she got out. She was like, 'I'm ready to see the eclipse!'” joked her mom
Image credits: Methodist Health System
The little eclipse miracle received a very special name – Sol Celeste Alvarez. Her name means “sun” in Spanish and goes perfectly with her big sister called Luna, whose name means “moon” in Spanish.
"I loved how the sun and the moon sounded together. I was like, 'Oh, that's a perfect name. And then just to have her during the eclipse was, like, obviously not planned.'"
“We wanted to trace their names back to their Hispanic roots because their dad is Black and Hispanic and names that would be close to each other. I’m just so happy; she’s a miracle,” Alicia explained the reasons behind naming their girls.
Image credits: Methodist Health System
The little one received a very fitting name for her unusual birthday - she was named Sol Celeste
Image credits: Methodist Health System
"She opened her eyes as soon as she got out. She was like, 'I'm ready to see the eclipse!'” Sol’s mom gushed in an interview. How many people can brag about witnessing a total solar eclipse on their birthdays? Well, little Sol won’t remember it, but her mom promised to tell her unusual birth story when she’s a little older.
She’s just a few days old and she already has an interesting fact to tell about herself!
Despite being in labor, Alicia too managed to witness the eclipse thanks to Sol’s prompt arrival to the world.
“We heard people screaming and they were looking outside. I was able to see it out the window,” Alicia shared with delight.
Little Sol already has an older sister named Luna - how adorable!
Image credits: Justin Dickey (not an actual photo)
Her family believes that she will do great things for humanity because she was born during such a rare event
Image credits: Methodist Health System
People have always been fascinated by such mysterious celestial events as the total solar eclipse. After all, many novels and horror movies hail it as a bad omen and some cultures even advise vulnerable people, such as elderly or pregnant women, to stay inside to avoid dire consequences. If only bosses would accept it as a valid reason to skip work.
The only real danger a solar eclipse poses is the risk of eye damage if you decide to look directly into the sun. So to avoid real bad luck and many expensive visits to the doctors, always use protective glasses when you watch the sun and the moon dance.
However, Sol’s family believes that there is a reason she was born during such a rare event.
"I definitely think there's meaning in everything. She put a meaning behind her name,” pondered her mom.
“She’s going to do great things for the world,” believes her proud grandmother Linda. Who knows, maybe in a few decades, we will be writing articles about Sol’s incredible achievements?
What do you think of this? Do you think eclipses have a deeper spiritual meaning or are they just regular celestial events?
People in the comments agreed that Sol is destined for a good and interesting life due to being born on the eclipse
