Seeking advice on approaching strict parents for marriage

As salaamu alaikum, I need some guidance. I've been getting to know a sister for a while now, and I want to speak to her parents about marriage. I truly believe doing things the halal way means involving parents, but hers are very harsh. She works and lives with them. When they discovered we were messaging, her mother actually hit her, even after she begged them to just let me talk to them. Her mother flat out refused and told her to block me. She hasn't, because we have strong feelings for each other, but I'm stuck. I really want to make this work insha'Allah. Her mom wants her to marry locally so she'll stay near family, but she wants some distance and her own life. So I'm lost-don't know what to do. I'm making du'a to Allah SWT to guide us to what's best. For context, she lives 7 hours away, and her parents don't want her moving. I don't want to give up. I want to at least meet them, so they can judge me fairly instead of just rejecting me for living far. I'd love to hear any advice. By the way, we're both in our mid 20s.