It’s a hole in my heart,” Dolly Parton said of losing her husband. But she cherishes the funny Dollywood memories he left behind.

Only a few weeks after the death of her beloved husband of over 50 years, Dolly Parton stepped out at the opening celebration of her revered theme park, Dollywood, as she does every year, putting on a brave face in the wake of the turmoil and grief she's surely facing after Carl Dean's passing at 82 years old.

To mourn the death of Dean, Parton stepped away from the public eye. Yesterday (March 14), the multiple CMA and Grammy Award-winner surprised supporters with her first appearance since Dean’s passing during the 40th season celebration for Dollywood theme park in Tennessee.