I still would have been a fan. I was a fan from the very first episode when it aired in '93. I never missed an episode airing on ABC.
I regret that I didn't have internet access and so didn't know about the fandom back then or the fanfic...only just found it this year when the DVD's started being released.
But I was a fan nonetheless.
However, I do think I would have found the fandom and fanfic sooner perhaps if the show had been cancelled after 2 seasons because I would have felt empty and disheartened at the proposal with no answer. I would have been looking for fulfillment.