Dolly Parton opened up about the “big adjustment” since losing her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean.

Dean died on Monday, March 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 82. Parton, 79, cherished the “many wonderful years together” when she publicly confirmed her husband’s passing. She thanked others for their prayers and sympathy, and asked for privacy for the family as they grieve Dean’s loss. She quickly received an outpouring of condolences, and shared a heartfelt note to family, friends and fans.

Parton admitted she gets “very emotional” when she talks about her late husband. She reminisced on their love story during her appearance on the TODAY Show on Friday morning (May 2). Parton joined the show live from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, celebrating the 40th anniversary of her beloved amusement park, Dollywood. TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin offered their condolences to the legendary country star, and asked how she’s doing since his loss.

“I get very emotional when people bring it up,” Parton said. “But yeah, we were together 60 years. I’ve loved him since I was 18 years old. And it’s a big adjustment, just trying to change patterns and habits. And I’ll do fine, and I’m very involved in my work, and that’s been the best thing that could happen to me. But I’ll always miss him, of course, and I’ll always love him. He was a great partner. …I’m so thankful. I got so many cards, letters, flowers, from all over the world. I had no idea Carl Dean was so famous.”

Parton previously addressed her husband’s loss when she told the Knoxville News Sentinel that she’s “doing better than I thought I would. I’ve been with him 60 years. So, I’m going to have to relearn some of the things that we’ve done. But I’ll always keep him close. …I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him.” During an event celebrating Dollywood’s 40th anniversary, Parton told the audience of season pass holders that she wanted “to take a minute to thank all of you for all the flowers and cards, and the well wishes for the loss of Carl. You know how I loved him. And he would want me to be working today. I expect to be working. So anyway, I just wanted you to know, that of course, I will always love him and I’ll miss him. But I wanted you to know that I will always love you.”

Parton met her husband outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat on her first day living in Nashville. She’d moved from her East Tennessee hometown to pursue her career in music. Parton previously shared that she wasn’t looking for a relationship at the time, but she “fell in love with Carl Dean,” and they got married in Georgia wedding on May 30, 1966. Parton debuted the ballad “If You Hadn’t Been There,” honoring her late husband. She said at that time that “like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”

Watch Parton’s interview on TODAY here:

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