After battling with cervical cancer country singer Joey Feek died at the age of 40 on March 4, 2016.
She left behind husband Rory Feek and their daughter Indiana.
In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, Rory speaks about his wife. He got stardom alongside Joey as the Grammy-winning duo Joey+Rory says he still feels his late wife’s love “everywhere” on their farm in Columbia, Tennessee. He raises their 6-year-old girl with help from his sisters and adult daughters.
“I still feel like I’m 100 percent married and in a full, regular marriage,” Rory, 54, says one day before the fourth anniversary of Joey’s death.
“The only difference is that she’s just not around, but it’s a funny thing to feel so complete and not have her here. She was such an amazing gift and filled my life so much that she continues to fill it.”
Rory reveals he doesn’t see a “reason not to” wear his wedding ring, adding, “She’s still wearing hers.”
The New York Times bestseller shared his family’s hardships on This Life I Live, a new docuseries inspired by his blog that airs Sundays on RFD-TV. The show will mark his return to the music studio, where he previews a new ballad about overcoming heartbreak. “Will you let somebody love you despite the scars?” he croons.
Though Rory “can’t even imagine” dating again, he admits, “I’m open to anything God wants to have happened. Absolutely. Do I see it on the horizon? No, but I want what He wants.”
These days Rory’s mornings start with a walk alongside Indiana to the one-room Hardison Mill Schoolhouse. The community built that on his farm using about $100,000 that came in from across the nation after Joey’s death. Indy, who has Down syndrome, learns alongside all kinds of classmates from the area.
“We needed to come up with another plan since Joey wasn’t going to be able to homeschool Indy,” he says, calling the school “an amazing opportunity” that’s serving Indy well.
After dropping his daughter off at school, Rory goes to downtown Columbia, Tennessee, famously known as Muletown.
He has a new restaurant and music venue there, Marcy Jo’s Muletown. Rory and his sister Candy were inspired by Pottsville’s Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse, the diner Joey once ran with his other sister Marcy, and opened a “more upscale version” with a stage, fulfilling Joey’s dream.
Fans can meet Rory and other musicians to enjoy the songs and storytime on special performance nights. You can order items like Joey’s Avocado Toast, and buy Joey and Marcy’s cookbook.
Rory tells PEOPLE, “We’ve settled into a wonderful life.”
Now Rory says he’s focused on making the most of his blessings, especially as he raises Indy.
“Joey was a lot better at being present than I am,” he says, “but I’m getting better at it.”
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