James Brolin fell in love with Barbra Streisand on their first-ever date.

The 84-year-old actor began dating the 83-year-old star in 1996, and James has recalled being wowed by her honest approach to life and love.

Speaking to People, James shared: "That night was something. It was like somebody called and said, 'Would you be interested in a date with her?' And what I said was, 'I like what she says between songs,' and I was a real nut for women singers -- especially jazz and bar singers and romantic singers at the time. So that got my interest.

"I had been out of a marriage for three years and really saying, 'Who needs that again?' But we both agreed to go. We're on our way and halfway there, we both picked up the phone to cancel and something told us, 'No. Let's just do it.'"

James remembers Streisand being blunt in her approach - but he actually appreciated her honesty.

He said: "We met there. I didn't look at all like she had thought I would because I'd been, for seven years all bearded and curly-haired in Hotel. She saw me and went, 'That's not the guy I came to see.' I had cut off all my hair. She finally came up to sit with all the people at the table and came behind me and said, 'Who f****** up your hair?'

"Well, that's when I fell in love. I thought, 'This girl tells the truth right from the beginning. I'm crazy about her.' And then we've really been pretty much together ever since then."

James feels they've managed to strike a really healthy, and trusting, balance in their relationship.

He said: "One thing that she does that some women have a terrible time with is, 'Where were you? Oh, that only takes 20 minutes. You've been two hours.' Those kind of questions just destroy things. She never asked me anything.

"And I just feel this incredible loyalty, because of it, and so that it brings you together. With her, I love everything she does. I love her choices. People argue with her about her choices and then in the end, when given enough time, they find out she was right in the first sentence."