For millions of Americans who watch him deliver morning news with his trademark charisma and charm, Michael Strahan is a household name. But beyond the lights of the “Good Morning America” studio, Strahan’s most cherished role is that of a devoted father. This week, that role took an emotional turn as the beloved host publicly reflected on a moment that parents everywhere can relate to—the heart-wrenching experience of watching your children leave home.

Strahan, 52, shared a deeply personal moment on Instagram, as his 19-year-old twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia, prepared to begin their college journeys. The twins, whom he shares with ex-wife Jean Strahan, will be attending separate universities—Isabella at the University of Southern California (USC) and Sophia at Duke University in North Carolina. And though Strahan has always projected strength on camera, he admitted this transition is anything but easy.

“I didn’t want this day to come,” he confessed emotionally during a recent segment on “GMA.” His voice cracked as he described what it feels like to send his daughters off into the world. “I’m proud beyond words, but the house just won’t be the same. It’s a new chapter, but man, I’m going to miss them.”

The sentiment was echoed online when he posted a sweet photo of his daughters in CVS, grinning proudly as they pointed to a display featuring their father’s own skincare line, Michael Strahan Brand Skin and Shave routine. “@isabellastrahan and @sophialstrahan know how to put a smile on my face!!” he captioned the image. “They were shopping in @cvspharmacy and had to check out the @michaelstrahanbrand skin and shave routine!!! #GirlDad #MakeYourKidsProud.”

The image quickly went viral, with fans flooding the comments with support. “Having an amazing relationship with your dad is priceless,” one follower wrote. Another added, “Too adorable, love seeing the family support!”

Strahan’s bond with his daughters has always been evident. Whether cheering them on from the sidelines of their school events or beaming beside them on red carpets, he’s made it clear that fatherhood is his proudest achievement.

Photos shared on Instagram showed Michael glowing with pride at both of his daughters’ graduations. In one, he stands beside Isabella, flashing a peace sign at her high school ceremony, later posting a celebratory photo of her with a USC-themed cake. For Sophia, he shared a heartfelt snapshot at her graduation from the Trinity School in New York, proudly announcing her enrollment at Duke.

While Strahan’s professional life remains packed—with weekday mornings at GMA and a myriad of business ventures including his lifestyle brand—he’s been open about the emotional weight of this milestone.

Having already experienced this transition with his older children, Michael Jr. and Tanita, from his previous relationship with ex-wife Wanda Hutchins, Strahan now faces the unique challenge of an entirely quiet home. His apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, normally filled with the energy of family life, will soon be left to just him and his two dogs, Enzo and Zuma.

Despite the looming quiet, Strahan remains committed to staying connected with his girls. His bicoastal lifestyle—with homes in both New York City and Los Angeles—will make it easier to visit Isabella on the West Coast, while trips to North Carolina to see Sophia at Duke will no doubt be part of his schedule.

“I like the Upper West Side because, being a father, I like the family feel to it,” Strahan said in an interview with The New York Times. “You see mothers with strollers, people walking their dogs. One thing I love about the neighborhood, when you go into places, it’s not like, ‘Michael!’ I’m another person who’s just there.”

It’s a sentiment that reflects how he views his most important title—not former NFL star, not TV host, but father.

Even in moments of joy and pride, there is a bittersweet tinge that comes with seeing your children grow up. Strahan’s emotional response is a powerful reminder that fame doesn’t shield anyone from the universal experiences of parenthood—the pride, the sadness, and the hope that your children go out into the world ready to thrive.

Fans, fellow parents, and even celebrity friends have expressed support for Strahan online, with many commenting that his vulnerability only makes them admire him more. “You raised two beautiful, grounded young women,” one commenter wrote. “That’s what real success looks like.”

As the girls embark on their college careers—Isabella amid the palm trees of Southern California, and Sophia on the prestigious grounds of Duke—Strahan’s heart will undoubtedly be stretched across two time zones. But if there’s one thing he’s made clear, it’s that the bond between a father and his daughters doesn’t disappear with distance.

And while his apartment may be quieter, his pride couldn’t be louder.