By Sarah Mitchell
Meet Carey and Drew Clancy, a couple with a story that encompasses life’s rollercoaster of twists and turns. Their story is filled with love, resilience, and the creation of new family traditions. Carey, an Atlanta native, found herself venturing beyond her Southern roots to TCU, and has considered herself a Texan ever since. Her first job was in Ft. Worth, working in marketing for the Ft. Worth Zoo. She then moved to advertising in Las Colinas before making her way to Dallas and the Park Cities. In 2004, she launched her own residential organizing business, which kept her busy for seven years and ultimately led her to be recruited by The Container Store to play a crucial role in launching their organizational services nationwide. Drew, on the other hand, originally hailing from Chicago, made Dallas his home at the age of 11 after his father accepted a position at Taylor Publishing. He attended St. Marks, Amherst College, and Northwestern University, ultimately landing him the role of CEO at
Publishing Concepts in 1999. He also has a blog, RiseWithDrew.com, and he hasn’t missed a day blogging in over four years. “I am very interested in leadership, positive psychology, building workplace culture, and servant leadership,” shared Drew. “My blog also features books that I have read that have had an impact on me.”
Drew’s late wife, Julie, died from cancer in 2018, and Carey’s 20-year marriage ended in divorce following the discovery of multiple addictions and betrayal. Drew and Carey both had a strong faith that God would take care of them and trusted in His perfect timing. And just before the pandemic, a mutual friend – also named Carrie (also married to a “Drew”) – introduced them and the rest is history. Their first date was at Il Bracco, and they closed the place down. “Conversation was just flowing. We looked up, and just like in the movies, they turned the lights up, and there was literally a guy mopping the floor, waiting for us to leave,” they laughed. They were engaged a year later and have been married for three years. With initial plans for a downtown Dallas wedding, things changed when both Drew and Carey came down with Covid three weeks before their wedding day. With their Sunday school teacher officiating, the couple exchanged vows at home, surrounded by their children, laughter, and love. A photographer, videographer, wedding planner, harpist, and chef were present, and they shared the experience via Zoom with over 300 people. “It was super fun and intimate,” said Carey. “We took the furniture out of the living room, and we had our first dance to Fly Me to the Moon, and then our kids joined in.” The Clancy family expanded further as Carey and her kids moved in, transforming their 2,000-foot attic to add two additional bedrooms and a game room. “The space works so well,” explained Carey. “It looks like it was originally designed this way.”
When they got married, Carey’s daughter was a senior in high school and is now a junior at Ole Miss. Cooper, their younger son was at the University of Oklahoma and graduated last May. He is now in Houston working for EY in consulting. The oldest son, Luke, went to Rhodes College in Memphis where he worked for a couple of years after graduation before recently moving back to Dallas. Lucy, Drew’s oldest daughter, went to Fordham University in New York City and still lives there. There are still two children at home, both in high school. Kate is a sophomore and a
Highland Belle, and Virginia is a freshman that will be trying out for HP Cheer in March. Traditions became the heartbeat of the Clancy household. “Clancy Day” emerged, offering each family member a chance to plan a day of activities, from rock climbing to museums to favorite dining spots. “Regardless of where it is, it’s always a fun time,” said Carey. “Everyone participates, and it gives each person a chance to get the spotlight.” Another tradition they have started is hosting a party the night before Christmas Eve for their kids’ friends and their parents. With six children between them, they really are like the Brady Bunch and have embraced this theme with their Christmas cards.
Hobbies for Drew and Carey include running and travel. Running became a shared passion, with Carey achieving an impressive streak of not missing a day in over two years, while Drew typically conquers four half-marathons annually. Their love for travel culminated in a five-week European adventure in 2022, weaving memories across France, Italy, and Spain. Carey’s parents and sister’s family joined the Clancy Bunch in Normandy, where they stayed in a VRBO castle that left them awestruck. Other highlights were Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, as well as an unforgettable trip through the Burgundy wine country in France for Carey’s 50th birthday.
As they continue to build a life together, Carey and Drew Clancy exemplify resilience, love, and the joy of creating new traditions. From going through their own separate histories to sharing a beautiful life of gratitude together now, their story shows the beauty of new beginnings. The Clancy Bunch’s journey continues to unfold, promising more adventures, laughter, and love.