In the first part of his interview with Matt Lauer of NBC’s “The Today Show,” Bobby Brown revealed how he learned of Whitney Houston‘s death on February 11, if he could have done anything differently to help her, how soon after he passing he was able to speak to his daughter Bobbi Kristina, and the nature of his relationship with his former wife.

On how he learned of Whitney’s death
“I heard the news actually through Ralph Tresvant. He had his phone in his hand and he said just got a text. And he pulled me to the side, and pulled me outside and said, ‘I just heard that Whitney passed.’ I immediately got on the phone and I called my daughter.”

On the last time he saw Whitney and her still using drugs
“She was doing wonderful. Everything about her was going on the upward. She had this glow about her that was just incredible. I’m thinking to myself, ‘She must be doing really well,’ because she looked really well… I didn’t know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, It’s a hard fight to maintain sobriety that way.”

On wondering if there was anything he could have done differently
“I still say that today, Matt. Maybe I could have done something different to ensure she had a longer life. But, you have to want it. Some things just happen. God probably just needed her for the choir up there in heaven.”

On Whitney using drugs before she met him
“I didn’t get high [on narcotics] before I met Whitney. I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn’t the one that got Whitney on drugs at all. I worried about it when we first got together until I tried it. And when I tried it, for some reason, I have an addictive personality… I’m not the reason she’s gone.”

On their relationship harming Whitney
“Our relationship was great. I had 14 beautiful, beautiful years with that woman. I can honestly say that — I love that woman with — with everything that I am. And I believe she loved me the same way.”

On still loving Whitney
“My fiancee knows how I felt about that woman. My kids know how I feel … how I felt about Whitney. It’s not a secret, you know? I was in love with her deeply.”

The second part of Bobby’s interview with Matt will air tomorrow on “Today,” and will feature his fiancee and 3 of his children.

Previously: Bobby Brown Opens Up About Whitney Houston And Why He’s Not To Blame For Her Death