I think that instant connections can happen, but are ethereal and difficult to catch. I have gotten those connections, and I've watched while they happen to other people, but I don't think they're necessarily deep connections. Yes, you can instantly hit it off with someone, but to get those deep, life-long connections it takes work.

As for love ... definitely been on the receiving end of being thunderstruck (with ensuing destruction and fire and chaos), but it never seemed to work out for me.