The quote expresses the realization that the person the speaker thought they lost was never truly present in their life. It conveys a sense of disappointment and understanding.
The quote emphasizes the contrast between perception and reality. It suggests that the speaker's belief in losing the person was based on a misconception of their presence.
The quote's juxtaposition of losing and never truly being there highlights the disconnect between the speaker's perception and the actual involvement of the person in their life. It resonates with those who have faced the disappointment of realizing that a connection they thought existed was never as significant as they believed.