Dolly Parton responded to the support she’s received following the death of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean.

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The two first met in 1964 by a Nashville laundromat when Dolly was 18, and Carl was 21. They married two years later, shortly before Dolly’s career as a musician took off. Carl largely kept out of the public eye throughout their relationship, instead owning an asphalt-paving business.

“He’s not in the business, so we have different interests, but yet we have the things we love to do together,” Dolly said of their relationship last December. “We both have a warped sense of humor. And I think humor, honestly, is one of the best things when you’re married like that.”

Earlier this week, Dolly announced that Carl had died at the age of 82. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years,” she said in a statement.

Following an outpouring of support, Dolly took to social media earlier today for a follow-up. “This is a love note to family, friends, and fans,” she wrote. “Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl.”

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“I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you,” she concluded, referencing her song that was later covered by Whitney Houston.

A person smiling at an event, wearing a sequin-embellished dress with intricate details. The background shows "Academy of Country Music."

Sending our love to the family!