Jay Allen on Changing Face of Grief as Holidays Approach: 'I've Come into This New Healed Season' (Exclusive)

"I take a lot of pride in creating a safe place for people," the country singer says

Do-good couple Jay Allen and Kylie Morgan found themselves celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary by traveling to Hawaii to do some more good.

“Yeah, we were in Kapalua, Maui,” Allen, 37, tells PEOPLE in a recent interview. “We got invited to go out there to put on a charity event for the victims of the fires.”

And while the reason they were there was a somewhat somber one as they were recognizing the fires that killed hundreds, they also found time for celebration.

“I know it sounds cheesy, but it's a real-life love story,” Allen explains of his longstanding relationship with Morgan, 28. “I just felt like she's always been mine. But yeah, it’s hard to believe it’s really been a year since we got married. That lady is my soulmate."

Related: Jay Allen and Kylie Morgan Celebrate Their First Wedding Anniversary: 'Cheers to an Eternity More'

But while they are soulmates, the two very rarely find themselves in the same place for very long. Morgan recently finished up her stint on the road with Old Dominion and will head out on her own headlining tour come 2024.

And while Allen too is busy with personal and professional commitments, the two seem to realize that these are their lives at this moment, for better or for worse.

“We never see each other,” admits Allen, who resides with his wife in a home on the east side of Nashville, with a laugh. "She's been out with Old Dominion… and I don't know how to say 'no' to things. I mean, we're never home. It's a running joke. We high five in the airport and really, that's happened a few times. But yeah, it's good. It works for us. It's one of those things where when we're together, it's important and it's special.”

It's also important for this country couple to raise their voices for a better good whenever they can. And that is exactly what Allen will do on Dec. 16 when he performs at the Hope for the Holidays - An Evening with Louis York & Friends benefit concert that will help raise money for four local charities  - Alzheimer's Association, Nashville Peacemakers, The Onsite Foundation, and Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation.

“I just immediately said yes when I heard about the event,” remarks Allen, who will also perform at the Unplugged for Tennessee Tornado Relief Benefit Concert on Dec. 17 in Nashville with artists such as HARDY, Nate Smith and Alana Springsteen.

"This life is not just about us. There's going to come a point in your life where you hit a wall and you ask yourself, 'What did I do with all my time? What legacy did I leave? Who did I help and what impact did I make?' I've had so many people come and go in my life that have taught me the importance of doing that.”

Related: Jay Allen Has So Much Love for His Late Mother — but So Many Regrets: 'I Lost That Time'

And while Allen’s days leading up to the holidays this year are busy ones, there is a little bit of grief that comes with spending these special days without his late mother , who he lost to Alzheimer's disease in 2019, by his side.

But things are beginning to brighten.

“I feel like I've come into this new healed season where my days seem better,” says Allen, who recently released a stunning rendition of the Christmas classic, "O Holy Night” with fellow country artist Allie Colleen. “Everyone has their own grieving process now. I feel like I get to help other people face their feelings of loss and sadness, especially during the holidays. I take a lot of pride in creating a safe place for people.”

And maybe, providing that same kind of safe place for a few kids of their own — eventually.

"Oh, Kylie is not there yet," stresses Allen. "I'm a man in his 30s. I have all those feelings that I get out of my system with my baby nephew, who I get to finally see this week! Yeah, Kylie is not there yet and it's all good. Her mother says she didn't have those feelings until she was around 30 either. So I'll be patiently waiting whenever she’s ready."

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