Maybe you consider playing some of the 3DS Pokemon games instead then. In those, there’s a feature called Pokemon-Amie where you pet, feed and play with your Pokemon to develop a stronger bond with them and increase their affection.

As well as the age old happiness system, where leveling them up, healing them, having them fight in battles, giving them haircuts, etc raises their happiness level and makes some of them evolve into certain forms. Or do more damage via Return.

These features may be missing in Pokemon GO, but the general idea isn’t missing in the main series itself.