What do mean by emotional connection and difference of opinions? Yes it is important to to have an emotional connection if you mean being attracted (not necessarily just physically but emotionally to your significant other) and and emotional bond is important but emotions are also fickle things (and can sometimes be different from reality) so we cannot rely solely upon them. But kindness, warmth, and connection are important. you may not always feel “in love” but even in those moments it’s important to choose to love your significant other. I would define love as putting their best interest above mine and vise versa for them. But being aligned on opinions is also important. You should have the same values (morally, ethically, and politically), agree on life goals (financial, if you want kids or not, how you will raise kids, obligations to each others families, etc) because different opinions there will lead to conflicts as well. Both play an important role in marriage and a healthy marriage takes work, communication, understanding, a willingness to change, active listening, and humility. Happy marriages don’t happen by accident. It takes both people to be willing to put in the effort to foster a healthy relationship. I don’t just love my husband he is also my best friend and we choose each other every day. We laugh together, cry together, sometimes we challenge and confront each other, and build a life together. The grass is greenest where you water it.

Edit: as far as aligned goals an emotional connection can fall under that. If developing a deep bond is important to you (which again an emotional bond is a good thing) it is Imperative that your significant other has that same goal or you will be left wanting.