It is always worth it. There is this beautiful thing about good friendship. That is, understanding. Friends need not keep talking to each other every few min. There is an implicit understanding of care implied, an implicit understanding that you are missed, an implicit understanding that not keeping in touch does not mean that one is forgotten.
Friendship has to be shared, for it to become stronger.
Pure platonic friendship is such a tenacious bond between people. There is no romance involved, still the affection and love for a friend is implied and understood. I fail to recollect the source, but I can't but mention at this stage. I have a number of understanding friends. Innumerable are the instances and incidents that I hold close to my heart, that I have shared with my friends.