Got Sober 3 Years Ago and Became a Real Dad

I was a functional drunk for way too long. My ex-wife took my kids when I finally hit bottom at 34. I was seeing them every other weekend and showing up hungover half the time.

Three years sober now and I got 50/50 custody back last year. It's not some magical transformation story but it's real. I work a blue collar job, go to meetings twice a week, and my kids actually want to be around me now. My daughter told me I'm more fun sober, which was a gut punch and a wake up call all at once.

I don't have it all figured out. Still dealing with the guilt. But I'm present. That's the biggest change. I'm actually here instead of halfway checked out all the time.