Making dua to marry the man my heart leans toward

Assalamu alaikum, I could really use some advice and your duas. There's a man I deeply wish to marry. Our families have been friends for ages, so I know of him and he knows of me, but we've never actually sat down and talked or had any sort of relationship. What keeps pulling me toward him is his akhlaq, his mindset, how strong his deen is, his family values, and just the way he is. Over the years, the more I hear, the more I feel he's the kind of husband I pray for. I truly admire him and his family. The thing is, my mum has no idea about this. She's gone ahead and signed me up on those marriage apps and started hunting for matches, which makes me feel torn inside. I don't want to lead anyone on, and my thoughts keep circling back to this one person. Some might say, 'You've never really met him, how can you be certain?' I ask myself that too. But since our families are so close, I feel I know a lot about his upbringing, his character, and his principles, and that's why I want to pursue it in a halal manner. Should I open up to my mum? Would it be odd to ask my family to reach out to his? How do I tell if this is true compatibility or just me imagining someone I barely know? I'd be so grateful for any guidance, stories from your own lives, Islamic advice, or dua suggestions from anyone who's walked this path before. Jazakum Allahu khayran.