Always immediate.

But I never met them in on a date. If the first time I interacted with them was on a date, I don't know if it would've played out the same. That's a high-stress context, one where there's a built-in pressure to connect instead of where that connection is being naturally discovered. If I had met them on a date, I might've felt too nervous to fully receive how they were impacting me, if that makes sense. Or they might've felt too nervous to be themselves. I think I still would've felt some attraction and chemistry though, plus a sense of familiarity though (like this is someone who I could easily click with or who I already feel like I know).

That said, during our first meeting, my partner -- who I felt an instant, intense spark with -- isn't someone who I thought I'd ever have a relationship with. That took a while for me to be open to. I had some prejudices I needed to move past. He'd seemed a little too much like a player to me during our first meeting, which isn't my type of guy at all.