Rance was born in Norfolk, NE to Ronald and Roxanne. He has two older sisters, Erika and Justine, but Roxanne still insists he was the easiest child. He grew up helping Ron on their farm, hanging out with many good friends, and working a lot. He eventually went to Northeast Comunity College and Wayne State for a Business degree. After a few years as a line supervisor at a soda company, he left to work as a conductor for BNSF railroad out of Lincoln, NE. He was living alone for 6 years before a mutual friend introduced him to Julia.

Julia was born in Ladysmith, WI to Steven and Christine. The family soon relocated to Cold Spring, MN where Julia grew up. To Julia's great displeasure (at the time), Steve and Chris decided to have two more girls, Annie and Greta. Julia grew up doing every activity available - tennis, volunteering with church, school and community plays, running track, working at Subway, going to summer camps, and making silly movies with friends. She chose to attend Creighton University in Omaha, NE where she majored in Mathematics. Julia stayed in Omaha after graduation and worked at a cool sales company, then a local coffee company before working in payroll with a great group of people.

A mutual friend, Kortney, had just told Rance "happy birthday" and must have been thinking that he's still single. She asked Julia if she was single and interested in dating. The answer was yes and yes please! Kortney then told Julia his age, 10 years older, and Julia had to think it over before eventually saying yes. Kortney warned that he was a railroader and has been a bachelor for a while before passing along Julia's number. Rance first messaged on 12/21/2016. After a few weeks of chatting, Rance picked up Julia for a date one night. He came to the main apartment door with a wrinkled brown bag and, being nervous to see such a pretty girl, he shoved it in her direction and said "I know you like wine, but I didn't know what kind, so I got champagne." He took her for dinner at a fancy steakhouse. They saw each other again the same weekend and became boyfriend-girlfriend on 1/25/2017. Kortney was thrilled to officiate the wedding between the two!

Julia had just gotten back from a long weekend in Minnesota for the 4th of July. Rance helped her unload the car and then seemed impatient while she unpacked. Finally, Julia sat down. Rance brought out a t-shirt that said "Railroad Wife" on the front and "Yes, he's working. No, I don't know when he'll be home. Yes, we're still married. No, he's not imaginary." on the back. Then he asked on one knee if she would marry him. Simple, sweet, and apprioriate with Rance's job!

We got married at a park on the hottest day of the summer with just our family there. Our officiant was our friend Kortney, who had introduced us! It was a nice ceremony with a picnic lunch and cake after. You can see pictures under the Pictures tab on this site.