Looking at it from an entirely different angle.
Myself, I helped my own 18 and 19 year old daughters move to college/ university this passed week. Last week was daughter #2, and yesterday, daughter #1. I worry about them, as any self respecting father would. Yes they can be a pain in the other end, and the cause of much stress from the minute they are born until... well forever.
Yesterday, as I was leaving daoughter #1's newly unpacked, and well stocked residence dorm, we said our goodbyes and gave each other a very heartfelt, sincere and rather long hug. I then sort of jokingly said,"OK, there ya go, (motioning with my hands), off you go, be free!" She placed each of her hands on my cheeks, looked in my eyes and said, "I love you daddy... thanks for everything!" I smiled and said it was and is my pleasure, and turned and walked through the door, and down the hallway. I waited for the elevator door to open, then pressed the button for the ground floor. As it was closing, an arm slid in the way to stop it. It was my daughter. She was on her way to see her friend on another floor. We had another little hug, and kiss on the cheeks as she said bye again. I made it to the ground floor, and walked to my car... Just as I was getting in, I saw my daughter running across the parking lot towards me. I got out of my car and she ran into my arms, crying her eyes out. "I love you so much daddy!" She went on to explain, that she just ran down 5 flights of stairs to catch me before I drove off, because when that elevator door closed- it suddenly got REAL! We stood there in the parking lot holding each other, crying our eyes out and not caring about anything else, but the overwhelming emotions that were engulfing us...
I drove home with tears of joy and sadness streaming down my face... This was the second time in a week where exactly the same scenario played out... First with daughter #2, and then with #1.
Being a good parent is the most selfless and rewarding role anyone can ever have, and I wouldn't trade a second of any of it, for anything in the world imagined or unimagined.
That said, IMHO, THIS is where you made your mistake: