It seems like the more blank slate a therapist the more opportunity for transference. What about therapeutic relationships that are several years or even decades old, where the client comes to know quite a lot about the therapist, would the love a client had for a therapist they've known for years be just mere transference / projection? Is love always just projection?

The more I get to know my therapist the more I love him. The intensity and desperation is relenting, but the love is deeper and stronger felt, less needy but still very real to me. He's said I like to project on to him, but I don't know what I'm projecting. I love all the things I know about him. I don't think he's a saint or spectacular in any objective way, but to me he is perfect in all his imperfection. I have seldom felt a love I thought more genuine than this one, so why am I told it's projection and transference?