Kenny Rogers died more than three years ago, but since his passing on March 20, 2020, his wife, Wanda, has dedicated herself to ensuring people never forget her husband.

She recently assembled "Life Is Like a Song," an album of Rogers' work that he recorded between 2008 and 2011. The project is available now.

"I want to make sure his legacy grows and stays alive," she told People. "I think Kenny would be beyond happy and proud of the album. Kenny's whole thing was he always wanted to say in a song what every man wanted to say, and every woman wanted to hear. I think this would fall right into that category."

While Wanda is to expand Rogers' music catalog, she's also moving on with her personal life – with his blessing.

Before he passed away following a years-long health struggle, Rogers told Wanda that he wanted her to be happy when he was gone. The couple met in 1993, were married in 1997, and had their 19-year-old twin boys seven years later. He was 81 when he died, and Wanda is 28 years younger than "The Gambler" singer.

"He said, 'I'm not going to be here forever. I want you to be happy,'" Wanda told People. He told her: "You're young. I want you to have a full life past me.'"

At the time, Wanda didn't want to talk about it. She told him to turn the television back on.

Three years after his death, Wanda is in love again, and she believes it's teaching their sons that life goes on. And that's healthy.

"I'm dating someone very special," Wanda told People. "Kenny gave me his very best, and he wanted me to move on and be happy. That's a really big man to be able to say those words and mean it. I think it just shows the kind of guy he was."

One of her husband's friends introduced Wanda to her current love. He told her that if she and the new love interest didn't date, they would be friends forever. They started out as friends and then developed a romantic relationship. She said several of his personality traits, including his leadership and positive energy, remind her of Rogers.

"It's funny because a few of my friends said, 'I just really feel like Kenny's a part of this somehow.' And I know that sounds weird," she said. "(But) he tells our kids, 'I'm not your dad. No one will ever take the place of your dad, but I'm here as your friend forever.'"