For Tom Ford , becoming a widower and a single father in the latter half of 2021 has brought about a deep reevaluation of his personal and professional life.

Fords husband, journalist Richard Buckley , died in September at the age of 72. The couple, married since 2014, had been in a relationship for 35 years.

In a new interview with WSJ Magazine , Ford shared how his daily routine has changed in the months since Buckleys death after a long illness. Its been hard after 35 years, very hard, the designer and filmmaker said. I keep thinking, oh, God, I have to call Richard, or I need to send him a note about this. And hes not here.

As is the case with many single parents, Ford has had to take on new responsibilities as the primary caretaker of the couples 9-year-old son, Jack.

Until recently, I had Richard to help me out in the mornings, he said. Its been a little bit of a struggle the last month because he would normally get [Jacks] breakfast on school days while I was getting dressed.

Its a challenge to get him up, dressed, get his lunch made, get his lunch packed, get his breakfast done, get all my things done, and then I drive him to school at 7:45, Ford added. But it also means Im at my office by 8:10, so I get a good start to the day.