Mowing strawberries?

It is spring in my area and I am starting to get my strawberry bed ready. I planted them for the first year last summer and got very little fruit (which I've read is normal on first year).

From what I am reading I should have mowed them over after they were done fruiting. I didn't do that because it just seemed so counterintuitive to me. My logic was let the leaves stay as long as possible in order to let the plants photosynthesize and build strong root structures.

Anyway, it is spring now and I am wondering what to do. I guess it is pretty obvious that I should cut the foliage back to the crown. What happens next though? Will a new plant will grow up from the ground once the ground thaws?

For future reference, does everybody else mow their strawberries without issue?

Also, I've read that you can expect to get about 3-5 years out of the plants and then you should start again. Is that accurate in everybody's experience?