By BETH CHAPMAN / Community Columnist

Shelby County’s newest power couple is Probate Judge Jim and Cindy (Kelly) Fuhrmeister. The two were both widowed when they met. They knew the grief each other had experienced and turned that grief into joy on their wedding day, Aug. 11.

They first met at a mutual friend’s birthday party at the FOP Lodge in Calera. Days later, Jim called and invited Cindy to go to another friend’s birthday party in Montevallo. The rest is history.

Jim is chairman of Shelby County Leadership’s Board, the Alabama Electronic Recording Commission and is on the board of the Harrison Regional Library and the Smith Scholarship Fund. He serves on committees with the Alabama Law Institute.

Cindy has spent 27 years in the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District and is the chief of the Civil Division. She also serves as the ethics and professional responsibility officer for the office. She is on the board of the Shelby County Arts Council, a graduate of Leadership Shelby County and Team Leader providing peer evaluation for U.S. Attorney offices throughout the U.S.

Jim has two adult sons and Cindy has one. It adds new meaning to, “My Three Sons.”

With such high-pressure careers, they make it a priority to set aside time to spend together whether traveling, being with family and friends, entertaining or cooking a good meal together. They enjoy running errands, reading and listening to music or sitting outside on their patio with their pets.

Jim loves the way Cindy relates to people and cares about everyone. “She is very caring, supportive and lots of fun to be with,” Jim said.

Cindy loves Jim’s big heart, devotion to family and sense of humor. “He helps me not sweat the small stuff,” Cindy said.

Shelby County’s newest power couple said they “love Shelby County deeply and are proud of the quality of life that is a product of hard work by so many community leaders and volunteers.”

They should know, they are a part of that effort.

 

Beth Chapman, Alabama’s secretary of state, is a Shelby County resident. You can reach her at bethchapman@bellsouth.net.