When my boy and I met, we were strangers (we met at uni), but from the onset of the friendship, he told me that he knew we would be together eventually (at the time I had a boyfriend). And I felt that connection too. Anyway, so when we did get together, I felt like I loved him immediately, but wasnt about to say so. This is the first instance where I have loved someone so completely from the beginning of a relationship. Its just amazing how quickly our relationship developed, it was so natural and automatic and everything just fits with us.
If I hadent experienced this first hand, I'd be quick to say that love is a process, because prior to him thats all I ever knew. And while I still think it is a process, the process can be v. quick and sweep you off your feet. It depends on the person and how close you are... I think the fact that Steve and I knew we would end up together made it easier to love each other, and easier to accept that it really does happen this fast! Not quite love at first sight, but pretty close to!
I agree with spinspin when she says that it develops in regards to little things. I agree you cant completely love a person after a week and appreciate them, but I feel that what I experienced was close to this... We were together a month or so before I actually said those three little words, and nothing has changed since then. I honestly would adore to settle down with him and have kitties and bubbies together.