The quote reflects a sense of nostalgia and the fleeting nature of time as the character reminisces about their experiences with Clark during late-night hours. These moments, once perceived as part of adult life, are now looked back upon with a dreamlike quality. It signifies how memories can transform over time, blurring the lines between reality and idealized past experiences.

In Emily St. John Mandel's "Station Eleven," this remembrance highlights the complexities of human relationships and the impact of shared experiences. The early morning hours become a symbol of both intimacy and the passage of time, illustrating how significant moments can linger in the mind long after they have passed.