QPR forward Charlie Austin was almost lost for words after being told he had been selected for England's friendly in Dublin on June 7 and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia a week later, but assured reporters another important engagement would not be disturbed.
Austin is to be married to partner Rebecca this summer, and his "dream" call-up and subsequent double-header of international fixtures will not clash with his special day, he confirmed Thursday.
"Don't worry, the wedding is right at the end of the month," he said with a smile.
The former Burnley striker did everything he could to keep QPR in the Premier League this season, scoring 17 goals in 35 appearances, but they were relegated a fortnight ago following a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City. And his long-awaited chance to play for his country has come as a welcome consolation prize.
"It's hard to put it into words," Austin told QPR's website.
"I am really pleased that I have been called up. Like everyone else, it's something I dreamt about as a kid -- but it's one thing dreaming about it, and something else for it to actually happen.
"I have put in a lot of hard work this year and luckily enough I have been rewarded with this call-up at the end of it.
"As a person and a player I feel I have grown up, both on and off the pitch. I have learnt a lot about myself.
"I have done everything I can to try and get into the squad and now I'm really looking forward to it."
Austin's mother could not hold back the tears when he told her the news at his parents' house in Bournemouth.
"My mum started crying when I told her," he said.
"She was just so pleased and overwhelmed. To be honest, I can't really put into words how I'm feeling, it's not really sunk in yet."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche paid tribute to goalkeeper Tom Heaton after he became the first Burnley player to receive an England call-up in 41 years.
Heaton, along with uncapped duo Austin and Jamie Vardy, was named in Roy Hodgson's England squad for next month's games.
Not since midfielder Martin Dobson made his debut against Portugal under Sir Alf Ramsey way back in 1974 have the Clarets had a player involved in the England set-up.
INTERNATIONALS: Tom Heaton becomes the first Claret to get a full @england call-up since 1974: http://t.co/SfbF1vBpNm pic.twitter.com/DF9N7GaNDr
- Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) May 21, 2015
For that reason, Dyche was ecstatic at the news, which gives the club a lift two weeks after they were relegated from the Premier League.
"We are absolutely delighted for Tom. Congratulations go to him because it's a huge thing personally, but also for everyone connected with Burnley Football Club," said the Burnley boss, who signed the former Manchester United trainee in 2013.
"Tom was my first signing for the club, just after he had been relegated to League One with Bristol City, and here we are two years later with an England player in the squad.
"It's a fantastic journey he has been on with us since then. He's been in consistent form pretty much from day one and fully deserves his chance to show that on the international stage."
"Equally, to become the first player from the club to receive an England call up in [over] 40 years is a big sign that we are on the right track as a club."
Leicester, meanwhile, posted a short message on Twitter following Vardy's call-up.
BREAKING: #lcfc's @vardy7 named in the @england squad for June internationals vs Republic of Ireland and Slovenia. Congratulations Jamie!
- Leicester City (@OfficialFOXES) May 21, 2015
It read: "#lcfc's @vardy7 named in the @england squad for June internationals vs Republic of Ireland and Slovenia. Congratulations Jamie!"