The quote from Joyce Carol Oates' book "Blonde" reflects the nostalgic and often idealized view of first marriages. It suggests that the innocence and joy experienced during a first marriage are often unrecognized at the time. This sentiment highlights how people may look back on their initial experience of love with warmth, even if they weren't fully aware of its significance while living it.

The phrase implies a sense of sweetness and purity associated with first marriages, pointing to the emotions that come with first loves. Oates captures the bittersweet nature of reminiscing about such pivotal moments, illustrating how memories can be colored with a longing for the simplicity and happiness of youth. Ultimately, it speaks to the complexity of relationships and how the passage of time alters one's perspective.