I'm guilty of similar behavior, personifying objects, and always chalked it up to being sentimental. Since becoming a not-always-so-successful practicer of minimalism around 2015 I've tended to put a lot of research and thought into the things I buy and tend to develop a history with those things. I tend to associate those physical objects with memories of experiences I've had with them -- almost like an old friend. I can't imagine living any other way. Sometimes our imaginations can be the best form of magic.