Is it normal to feel this way about your first love?

I'm 22. I've only had one boyfriend but I don't consider him as my first love even though we had a great relationship not to mention, we still talk. We're really good exes. But my real, first love is the guy I've been talking to recently. The reason is cause one, when I first met him I felt like he was the guy pictured in my head and so I was ready to let myself go and be vulnerable to pursue this journey fully with him. This leads me to the second reason why he is my first love; for the first time I felt alive and something so real, part of it being because of how many times I was knocked down and hurt by him (not physically). Its going to be a year since we first met and no matter how many downs I've had w him, I still kept going because of my strong feelings for him. I love him so much that I never gave up on him. I always had hope and faith that things would get better. Unfortunately, right now we're kind of iffy and its because I found out hes been talking to someone else on top of everything else he does to me that hurts me. But I still want to pursue him. I don't want anyone else because now I feel like I have high expectations when I meet new guys and the number one is that vulnerable feeling again which isn't easy especially for me. I'm known for being tough and this is the first time I felt something. He brought out my heart. So i don't think it'll be easy to find that again, or at least anytime soon. I know I'm young but as a girl, we like that emotional support and feeling that we have someone there. So all these factors lead to how all I want is him. He is my first and I want him to be my last. I just can't give up on him. You know they say love overcomes any obstacle and that's what makes keeps me going. But it's like up to what point you say "I've had enough?" Especially when you're in love, there's just not an ending to the ride. Is it normal to feel this way about your first love?