Kochi: A rare and joyous occasion unfolded at a hotel in Kochi, as the family of Boban Varghese and Sujatha Boban announced the engagement of their son, Thomas Boban, to Australian native Alice Wilk. The couple met while studying in Australia and fell in love, leading to this special union. “Our son Thomas wants to marry Alice, whom he met and fell in love with while studying in Australia.
We are happy to inform you all of our decision to conduct their marriage,” said the happy parents. Following this, Australians John and Barbara Wilk expressed their happiness in English. The engagement marks the third international marriage in the Varghese family.
Thomas's brothers, John and Lawrence, who are twins, had earlier married Marisa from the Philippines and Ariana from Mexico, respectively. These previous unions were also celebrated with great enthusiasm, and Alice was warmly welcomed into the family as Kochi’s newest daughter-in-law, with applause from guests, including Marisa and Ariana. On Saturday, the Holiday Inn Hotel was the venue for this rare international wedding.
The engagement of Senior CPM leader and former LDF convener M.M. Lawrence’s grandson, Thomas Boban, to Alice opened a new chapter for the family, which has seen three sons marry foreigners .
The Varghese family expressed their joy at welcoming yet another foreign daughter-in-law, embracing the evolving global nature of relationships. “Isn't the world changing? Isn't this the era of boundless and borderless love? Through these marriages, our family has happily become part of it,” said Boban. Thomas, who studied law in Australia, now works as a lawyer in Sydney alongside Alice.
The couple’s love story began during their time at university and culminated in this engagement, celebrated by both families. Lawrence, who serves in the firefighting department in America, is married to Ariana, a Mexican woman, and the couple resides in Los Angeles. John, a motorsports mechanic, is married to Marisa and lives in Manila, Philippines.
Despite their diverse backgrounds, all the in-laws attended the engagement ceremony in traditional Kerala attire. Alice’s mother, Barbara, embraced the occasion by donning a saree for the first time. “This is the first time I am wearing a saree.
Sujatha bought this for me when she visited. It was quite challenging to wear, but now that I have, I feel beautiful,” Barbara shared, expressing her joy at being part of her daughter’s special day..
