Dolly Parton is an icon who has been in the spotlight for decades as one of the best female country singers and musicians of all time. Known for her bubbly personality, unique vocal tone and beautiful songwriting skills, Parton has gone on to become a legend in the entertainment industry.

What’s more, she uses her platform to do good and speak out on topics that are meaningful to her. This included donating $1 million toward COVID-19 research, which was partly used to fund the Moderna vaccine. She also recently spoke out in support of Britney Spears amid her conservatorship battle.

Perhaps it’s the “Jolene” singer’s humble beginnings that are the reason for her kind heart. Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a poor Tennessee family and her journey to stardom is one that draws an outpouring of love and admiration. She recalled to Reverb:

“Music was such a large part of our whole family. All of my mama’s people were musical. They all played some sort of musical instrument.”

Parton’s musical talents became known early and before long she began writing her own songs. After graduating high school in 1964, 18-year-old Parton moved to Nashville, Tennessee to become a star. Incidentally, not only did she kick off what would be a legendary career that year, but she also met the love of her life, her future husband Carl Dean.

The couple has been happily married for 55 years but Dean tends to stay out of the spotlight, letting Parton shine. Recently, the singer shared a rare photo of her and her husband from their younger years and fans couldn’t get enough.

Dolly Parton (1995), (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images)

Not long after arriving in Nashville in 1964, Parton met Dean outside of the Wishy Washy Laundromat when she was still 18 and he was 21. Entertainment Tonight reported that Dean said:

“My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl. My second thought was, ‘Lord she’s good lookin.'” And that was the day my life began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth.”

On her official website, Parton told her side of the story:

“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”

After visiting Parton every day for a week while she babysat her nephew, the couple finally went on their first date and Dean brought her directly to his parent’s house, as he knew she was the one. The couple got married in May 1966 and the rest as they say is history.

But while Parton is one of country music’s most recognizable stars, Dean prefers to let his wife be in the limelight. According to The Boot, Parton once opened up to the audience at the Marty Stuart Jam at the Ryman Auditorium and revealed the first and only time her husband joined her for a big country music event. The couple got dressed up and went to the dinner, where Parton accepted an award. Afterward, as they were driving home, she recalled:

“Carl turned to me and said, ‘Dolly, I want you to have everything you want, and I’m happy for you, but don’t you ever ask me to go to another one of them dang things again!'”

Dolly Parton (2012), (Albert L. Ortega/WireImage/Getty Images)

For their 50th wedding anniversary in 2016, the loved-up couple renewed their vows. The country legend told BBC:

“That was sweet. There was no pressure at all. We had our own little ceremony in a little chapel on our property, then we went in our little RV down to Ringgold, Georgia, and spent the night where we had married 50 years before. We took some beautiful pictures and got all dressed up. It was fun really.”

This year the couple celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary and they’re still going strong. Just one week ago, Parton posted an old rarely seen photo of her and Dean. Judging by how they look and their clothes, it appears the photo could be from the 1960s.

In the photo, the country superstar wears a red top and yellow flared pants with her signature bouffant hairdo, while Dean’s outfit is a little more modern. He wears a T-shirt that appears to have been photoshopped on him, with none other than his wife’s name and face emblazoned on it. Parton captioned the post:

“Find you a partner who will support you like my Carl Dean does!”

The sweet photo not only shows off Parton’s sense of humor but acts as a subtle nod for her own merchandise. Fans went crazy for the photo that shows the loved-up couple around the time that they first got together. Parton and Dean’s love is one for the ages and this latest post of hers showed that just as her relationship is neverending, so too is her wit and charm!

Are you a fan of Dolly Parton? What do you think about this throwback photo of her and her husband? Pass this on to any country fans you know so they can see it too!