this line is such a cop out. he did not bring her back to life. the entire time elena was with stefan she struggled with depression, survivors guilt, she was very adamant on dying, and didn't think her life meant much which is why death never scared.

the wickery bridge was a recurring location during the time elena was with/loved stefan. the bridge represented death to elena and showed how she hadn't gotten past her survivors guilt. but after elena gets with damon, the bridge stops becoming a central location on the show.

In 3x11, elena tells matt that she shouldve died on the bridge & in 4x06 she actually tries to kill herself there & through hallucinations of her mother which is a form of elenas subconscious we find out she still struggles with the fact that she survived & her parents didnt.

elena having recurring thoughts of death and guilt that she didn't die during the time she was with/loved stefan is not a sign of her bring brought back to life. It's not a healthy way of thinking and stefan played no role whatsoever in helping her get out of that.

It's not until s5/s6 where you see elena truly being happy. she had a great summer, she got to a stage where she could love herself as a vampire, she began college and started thinking about her future. elena was the healthiest version of herself when she was with/loved damon.

damon's influence made elena question her life and beliefs. damon supported elena the most during her transition and showed elena that she could embrace vampirism without feeling shameful.

But even still, the only person that brought elena back to life was herself.