Insta-love without substance, miscommunication dragged out for 300 pages, or one character existing only to “fix” the other.
The function of the meet-cute is to establish tension. The audience must believe these two people should be together before the characters realize it themselves.
Here’s a thoughtful take on in fiction (and real life), followed by a short original example.
: Explore how a couple navigates a challenge together, showing how their partner's strength inspires them.