The couple were married for 20 years and divorced for over 20 when Arnaz penned a thoughtful tribute to his ex

Desi Arnaz loved Lucy, until the very end.

In the first episode of CW’s TV We Love, a multipart series celebrating eight of the most iconic American television shows and their lasting impact on audiences and culture, experts discuss the beautiful relationship between the couple.

While their marriage didn’t last, Lucille Ball and Arnaz came to a place of peace after time passed. Ball continued to credit Arnaz with all the fruits of their creative partnership, which was ultimately a major part of each actor’s legacy.

“Once you learn about everything that Desi did, you can’t separate Lucille Ball’s success from Desi Arnaz’s genius. Their geniuses complemented each other in this gorgeous way that made everything work,” Dana Sumner-Pritchard, host of The Ricardo Project: An I Love Lucy Podcast, says in the docuseries episode.

That dynamic was put on a display in a grand final gesture, which played out during Ball’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on Dec. 7, 1986.

“When she gets announced, everyone jumps to their feet. This is 30 years after I Love Lucy. She couldn’t believe it.,” Sumner-Pritchard shares.

The unforgettable moment took an emotional turn when Robert Stack read a letter, written by Arnaz on his deathbed, that celebrated Ball in that moment of achievement. He died at age 69 just five days prior, two days after sharing a final phone call with his ex on their would-be anniversary.

“I Love Lucy had just one mission: to make people laugh. Lucy gave it a rare quality. She can perform the wildest, even the messiest, physical comedy without losing her feminine appeal,” he began.

“The New York Times asked me to divide the credit for its success between the writers, the directors and the cast. I told them, ‘Give Lucy 90% of the credit and divide the other 10% among the rest of us.’ “

Arnaz wrote, “Lucy was the show. Viv, Fred and I were just props, damn good props, but props nevertheless. P.S.  I Love Lucy was never just a title.”

“I think that was just a really beautiful gift he gave her at the end, in such a public way,” Sumner-Pritchard said of the moment.

“Just to say, ‘You were the heart and soul and the spirit and the star and it was wonderful to be able to support you.’ It’s so beautiful.”