I got my Novice after passing my 5 WPM and my General after passing 13WPM. I was working on my 20WPM for Extra when they dropped the code requirement for all licenses to 5WPM and I handed in my paperwork from passing the theory test to upgrade. I was up to about 18WPM at the time.
I did it as it was a requirement not because I particularly enjoyed it. It was never easy for me and never came naturally the way it does for some folks. So now I don't use it.
That being said I know lots of folks that really enjoy working CW and keep using it decades after the code requirement was dropped. Some say the quality of the ops is better because everyone using it are folks that want to use it, not being forced into it. So if you get into it there will likely be someone out there to talk to (band conditions permitting).