Anna, I have felt the same as you. With all of my girls I have rocked them to sleep. I too couldn't bare to hear them cry when i put them into their cots. Other Mums would tell me how their bubs self settled themselves to sleep and would feel like I wasn't doing the right thing, until i was home giving them those cuddles - my absolute favourite.
People would say that they were going to be horrible sleepers as they got older, but they go to bed beautifully.
My 18th month old has only started self settling now, and to be honest , I really miss giving her that . I know that if I could have gone through with controlled crying she would have been doing this alot sooner, but I chose not to .
Know that you are a wonderful mother. Your little girl knows that you are there for her - she'll be feeling safe, secure and totally loved.