5 years sober and I barely recognize myself

Hit rock bottom when my kids were 4 and 6. I was missing soccer games, forgetting important stuff, barely present even when I was physically there. Wife gave me an ultimatum. Got into a program, did the work, and now I'm almost 5 years sober. The thing that gets me is how much my identity was wrapped up in drinking. I thought that was just who I was. Turns out I'm actually a pretty decent dad when I'm not destroying myself. I miss the escape sometimes if I'm being honest, but I don't miss the person I was. My kids actually want to spend time with me now and that means everything.