Independence

My Little Miss is just about 3 and a half. For me, I have a hard time letting go. It is my nature. I do not adjust to change as well as others do. SUE ME. I always want to protect her, make sure no one hurts her feelings and she doesn't ever have to feel left out. However, she wants her independence and so, when we are at family parties, she spends time with her cousins.  Without me. Just comes out once in a while to find me, make sure I am still there, then back she goes looking for her cousins.
The part that strikes me every single time she goes and disappears with her cousins, is that she is having life experiences without me. How can this be? She is just a little over 3! Soon she will be going to Pre-K, which also makes me anxious. Girls can be cruel, even at such a young age. I remember growing up, having all those mean things said to me, saying not so nice things back, being left out of things, having others whisper things about me......all of it makes me want to handcuff her to me forever. So I can protect her!
Am I the only one who feels this way? Is wanting to be with my daughter 24/7 to make sure no one ever hurts her wrong? No one tells you this when you head into parenthood. It's all about how they change your life, how much you will love them - but no one ever mentions how much you are going to want to "hover" and "watch over" your kids. Or chain them to you forever.
Needless to say, I dread the teenage years.....I just want to put her in a bubble, allow her to interact with other kids inside that bubble, while I watch on a camera. Is that wrong? And then when she is older, let's say 25, I can let her out knowing she makes good decisions and treats people in her life well and knows that when others are cruel, it is because they have low self-esteem - so just ignore them and be confident in the person you are.
Who's with me??????? Bubbles for everyone?