Meat Loaf’s wife, Deborah Aday, is cherishing the loving memories of her late husband as she mourns his passing.

She continues, “He meant so much to so many people, and it gave me joy to be able to share him with the world. As his wife, I also want everyone to know how much he meant to me as a husband.”

Meat loaf and Deborah Gillespie.Dennis Clark/Getty

Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf.Cameron Richardson/Newspix/Getty

Meat Loaf

The couple tied the knot in 2007 and were married for nearly 15 years at the time of Meat Loaf’s death.

“Some of my fondest memories will always be about how we so often laughed, and how we brought out the silliness and playfulness in each other,” she says. “Michael was a hugger–such a physically affectionate and kind man, and I’m grateful that he brought out those traits in me.”

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Meat Loaf.Andre Csillag/Shutterstock

Meat Loaf

Aday also explains why she never got married before meeting her late husband.

“I waited until later in life to get married because I was waiting for the right man,” she says. “And oh boy, was heeverthe right man for me! I realize how blessed I am to have shared my life with such an incredible person. He didn’t hesitate to let me know how much I was appreciated, and often sweetly told me, ‘You’re a good wife.’ I will miss hearing that.”

She adds, “Our life together was an adventure. He was my best friend, my confidant, my lover and I miss him terribly already. As much as my heart is in pain right now, my heart is also so full of the love and glory we shared together. I will love you forever, Michael.”

RELATED VIDEO: Rock Legend Meat Loaf Dead at 74

Meat Loaf’s daughter, Amanda Aday, previously spoke to PEOPLE abouther late father’s death, revealing that she and sister Pearl rushed to Nashville to be with him after receiving a call informing them that his health “was declining very rapidly, more rapidly than expected.”

“As soon as we could, we just went to his bedside at the hospital and just sat with him and held his hand,” Amanda recalled, adding that she is “very thankful” that both she and her sister had a chance to see their father before he died.

Amanda said she hopes her father will be remembered for all of his talents, both on and off the stage. “He was a singer, he was an actor, he was a father, a husband, he was a grandpa,” she said. “It was Papa Meat to my nephew. He was everything.”

source: people.com