Feeling Lost About the Nikah Process

Assalamu alaikum, I’m a 23-year-old brother. I just finished uni and started a full-time job. Now marriage talk is popping up at home more, and it’s been on my mind heavy. I get why dating outside marriage is haram, and alhamdulillah I’ve kept away from that. But now that marriage is actually on the table, the whole thing feels so weird to me. My whole life, I avoided free mixing and never really talked to sisters. But suddenly I’m supposed to figure out who I click with and who I’d want as a wife, all while my parents are sometimes there listening. I know the Islamic reasons for family involvement, but honestly, it just feels awkward. Also, I feel like I’m behind in understanding relationships. I’ve seen people who were in haram stuff end up married young. I’m not saying that’s okay Islamically, but it makes me wonder-how do I know if a sister actually likes me for me, or just likes my job and stability? I want to keep it halal, but the process feels so unnatural and hard to explain. For brothers and sisters who’ve been through this, especially in the West, how did you handle this awkwardness? How do you get to know someone for marriage in a halal way without it feeling fake? And how do you tell if they value you as a person, not just as a provider? Jazakum Allahu khairan for any advice.