Is a relationship that began with acquaintance and dating for marriage between a young man and a young woman during their studies, and continued with contact and then repentance, Islamically valid or corrupt?

The criterion for choosing a spouse must be religion and good character. The questioner erred by engaging in a love relationship, meetings, and romantic conversations with the young man, as none of this is permissible for a Muslim woman with a man who is a stranger to her. Allah has forbidden this, saying: "And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts" and "then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet." The Prophet (peace be upon him) also forbade being alone with a strange woman, saying: "No man is ever alone with a woman except that her mahram is with her," and he said: "No man is ever alone with a woman except that Satan is the third of them." In addition to the religious prohibition of this relationship, studies have shown that most marriages based on a prior love relationship fail. Therefore, the relationship with this young man must be cut off, and if he is sincere, he should propose to her through her family.