My adult kids are thriving hundreds of miles away. I'm proud of them and heartbroken at the same time.

The author misses being needed by her kids.

Courtesy of the author I spent 22 years raising my children to become confident, independent adults.

My son moved to New York City, while my daughter built a life in Chicago.

I'm proud they're thriving, but I still grieve the years when they needed me.

When my son moved to New York City after college graduation, I couldn't have been prouder.

He had landed a great job, found an apartment, made friends, and embraced everything the city had to offer.

Two years after my daughter finished college , we packed up a U-Haul and drove her more than 700 miles to Chicago to start her new chapter.

Watching both of my children confidently step into adulthood was everything I'd hoped for when they were little.

Watching them leave was also one of the hardest things I've ever done.

I raised my kids to be independent As parents, we spend years preparing our children to become independent .

We celebrate every milestone that gets them closer to adulthood.

The first day of school.

Learning to ride a bike.

Driving a car.